A man who had evaded police capture for 18 months was arrested by a safer neighbourhood team (SNT) earlier this month.

Officers from Thamesfield SNT were on patrol on January 8 when they noticed two men acting suspiciously outside Maplins in Putney High Street.

Police suspected them of stealing goods, so stopped and searched the men.

A bag containing a Sat Nav stolen from a vehicle parked in Putney Bridge Road in the early hours of that morning, and a stolen Sat Nav charger from Halfords were found.

One of the men gave false personal details to the police, but was eventually identified and found to be wanted for breach of a court order, having evaded capture for eighteen months.

He was remanded in custody to appear at court for breach of the court order.

The other man was charged with shoplifting and handling stolen goods.

Sergeant Roger Chapple of Thamesfield SNT said: “This is a good example of the officers’ alertness and of them following their instincts to a successful conclusion.

"Vehicle crime continues to be a problem across Thamesfield Ward and we would appeal to the public to take proper care of their property and report anything suspicious concerning vehicle crime.”