Quick-thinking teenager Adam Hastings bravely stopped a thief in his tracks last week as he attempted to steal goods from Morrisons in Chippenham.

Mr Hastings, 17, was on his moped outside the store at about 2.30pm on Friday when he witnessed the crime.

He said: “I was just about to leave and saw the security guard looking at somebody and a guy started to run towards the petrol station.

“There’s a zebra crossing before then so I tried to cut him off but jumped off my bike. My flip flops came flying off and the security guard wasn’t that far behind me.

“The guy jumped into a hedge and I jumped in after him but he fell over and I held him down.

“The security guard told me to get the guy’s bag and I opened it and there was a lot of stuff in it.”

Mr Hastings, of Kington St Michael, said his bike had a few scratches from the incident and he cut his foot.

Michelle Pattemore, who works at Morrisons, said: “We had a shoplifter running out of the store and a member of the public, Adam, jumped on to his moped and chased the perpetrator and managed to catch him.

“We would like to thank Adam for his bravery.”

Mr Hastings said: “Morrisons gave me a couple of things to say thank you.

“They even offered me a job when they have next got one available.”

Police Sgt Phil Connor said: “We would like to express our appreciation of Adam’s community spirited actions in assisting security staff and Wiltshire Police in bringing this male to justice.”

A man, 21-year-old Ionut Mustaciora, from the West Midlands, was arrested at the scene and charged with stealing goods to the value of £40.45.

Bail was refused because Mr Mustaciora had no fixed address.

He appeared in Chippenham Magistrates Court on Saturday and was fined £50 plus a victim surcharge of £20.

He spent one day in court in detention but did not have to pay costs.