Top cop collars suspects

Chief constable Della Cannings was on her way home at the time

A chief constable is the toast of her force after arresting two suspects on her way home from an official function.

Della Cannings, of North Yorkshire Police, jumped out of her chauffeured car after spotting two men allegedly vandalising an advertising banner outside a pub.

Mrs Cannings then arrested two men before handing them over to another officer who she called to the scene.

The arrests took place outside the Riverside Farm on the A19, near Skelton, on Sunday night.

It is encouraging for everyone in the force to see the chief constable leading from the front like this Police spokesman

Mrs Cannings, 51, had been attending a festival of remembrance at the York Barbican.

A police spokesman said two York men, aged 23 and 18, had been released on bail in connection with the incident pending further inquiries.

He added: "We do not regard it as a big deal because it is what police officers do.

"It is encouraging for everyone in the force to see the chief constable leading from the front like this.

"All senior officers in North Yorkshire Police and other forces would not possibly pass by an act of misbehaviour.

"That is what we expect and that is what we get."