IMPRESSING at a new job is always important when keeping in your bosses’ good books – but for one student police officer in County Durham, this was taken to the extreme recently when she apprehended a criminal in just 15 minutes – only weeks after completing basic training.

PC Kelly Norman might have only just finished her police education at the end of October, but when a call came through for assistance at a burglary on Consett Road, Lanchester, on Sunday, November 28, she didn’t hesitate to race to the scene and help her fellow officers.

Within 15 minutes of arriving in Lanchester, PC Norman and her work partner PC Helen Corner had taken note of their surroundings and arrested a suspect, who was found with several items believed to be taken in the burglary.

Read more: £30,000 worth of cocaine found in Darlington's market place

Following the incident, the elderly victim of the incident, a man in his 80s, has praised the efforts of PCs Norman and Corner for the speed at which they responded to his call and the way the incident was dealt with – branding the policing pair as “heroes”.

A 30-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of burglary and interviewed by police. He admitted the offence and received an out of court disposal, which was supported by the victim.

This isn’t the first time that a student police officer has come to the rescue. Earlier this year, £30,000 of drugs was uncovered by a student officer when she was out on patrol in Darlington.

The Northern Echo: In a separate incident, a student police officer helped uncover £30,000 worth of drugs in Darlington in November. Photo: SARAH CALDECOTT. In a separate incident, a student police officer helped uncover £30,000 worth of drugs in Darlington in November. Photo: SARAH CALDECOTT.

Officer PC Charlton was on patrol with her tutor PC White in November, when they saw a car pull over in the market place.

Sensing something was not right, they pulled the car over and carried out a search of the vehicle.

A significant quantity of cocaine, worth about £30,000, was found, along with £1,470 in cash and two mobile phones, one pair of scales and several snap bags.

The driver was arrested on suspicion of possession of a Class A drug, and possession of a Class A drug with intent to supply.

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