27‑year‑old Joshua Hayter, from Ynysforgan, was spotted on Swansea High Street on 26 November trying to sell expensive cosmetics stolen from a nearby shop.
When officers approached, Hayter jumped on his bicycle in an attempt to escape. But the video shows one officer sprinting after him, grabbing hold of the handlebars, and dragging him to the ground in a decisive takedown.
Hundreds of pounds worth of cosmetics were recovered along with 13 grams of cannabis. Hayter was arrested at the scene.
(Image: South Wales Police)
From a night-time chase to a courtroom sentence
At Swansea Magistrates’ Court, it was heard that Hayter was already serving a suspended sentence at the time of the offence. He was jailed for eight weeks for the shoplifting incident, with a further 16 weeks added for breaching his previous sentence.
Officers say the arrest is part of a wider crackdown
Police confirmed the arrest was part of Operation Viscaria, a targeted patrol scheme tackling shoplifting and anti‑social behaviour in Swansea city centre. Officers say they will continue both visible and covert patrols in the run‑up to Christmas.
A South Wales Police spokesperson said:
“Plain‑clothes officers on patrol as part of Operation Viscaria spotted Hayter attempting to sell stolen goods. He tried to escape on his bike but was quickly stopped thanks to decisive action from our officers.”
