A suspected burglar was arrested after he was spotted by an off-duty officer - in the ball pit of a children’s soft play.

Police were called shortly after 1pm on Thursday to the popular play centre on Princesway, on the Team Valley in Gateshead.

The officer, who was with his family at the time recognised a suspect who had evaded arrest.

The call triggered the immediate deployment of officers who were on scene within minutes.

They were directed to the suspect’s exact location – on the top level of a climbing frame within a ball pit.

The 22-year-old man was arrested and taken into custody, where he was later charged with five counts of burglary and one count of theft.

Jack Conroy, 22, of Newcastle, has appeared before magistrates and has been remanded in custody until his next appearance at Newcastle Crown Court on July 29.

Chief Inspector Dave Carruthers, of Northumbria Police, said: “Thanks to the excellent work and vigilance of our off-duty officer, one of our most wanted suspects who had been evading arrest has now been remanded and is due to appear before the courts.

“It goes to show our officers are never truly off-duty where and when they see something which isn’t right.

“I’d like to say a massive thank you to all those officers involved who helped bring him in safely and swiftly.

“I have no doubt there will have been some concerned parents watching the situation unfold but thanks to the professionalism of officers, disruption was kept to a minimum.”

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