AN off-duty community support officer sprang into action when he spotted a shoplifter.

Daniel Taylor was in Tesco Extra at Roker Retail Park in Sunderland on November 15 when he saw a man place three bottles of Grey Goose vodka under his jacket.

Kieron Flynn headed towards the exit without paying, but CSO Taylor had already tipped off security staff who intervened.

He then waited with the 28-year-old Flynn until officers arrived and placed the suspect under arrest.

Flynn, of Tatham Street, Sunderland, pleaded guilty to attempted theft South Tyneside Magistrates Court and is due to be sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court on December 14.

A Northumbria Police spokesman said: “We are incredibly proud of CSO Taylor who was willing to go above and beyond despite being off-duty to ensure criminals are rightly brought to justice.

"Shoplifting is increasingly being dealt with by security at the shops themselves, but this incident shows we will still take robust action against those who bring misery to businesses in the city."