Special constable Keith Smith, 74, took down a 29-year-old suspect

Britain's oldest police officer has won praise after arresting a suspect after a high speed pursuit and a chase on foot.

Special constable Keith Smith, 74, took down 29-year-old suspect Paul Tait after a dramatic chase through residential gardens in Benfleet, Essex on Tuesday this week.

SC Smith was driving a marked police car when he attempted to stop a driver near the town.

But the driver sped off and SC Smith was forced into a high-speed chase.

After following the speeding car for miles, the suspect jumped out and attempted to flee through several gardens.

SC Smith didn't give up the chase and managed to catch up with the suspect and detain him.

The force's road policing unit tweeted: 'Despite being 74 years old he engaged in not only the pursuit but a foot chase, detaining the suspect in the gardens of a nearby house.'

SC Smith is a veteran officer having been with Essex Police for the past 20 years

Essex Police Chief Constable BJ Harrington hailed SC Smith as an 'inspiration to us all'.

SC Smith has dedicated the last 20 years to fighting crime with Essex Police and has given up 2,000 hours in voluntary work in the last year alone.

It's not the first time the veteran policeman has hit the headlines, however.

He was praised last August after helping an elderly driver who fell ill at the wheel.

Paul Tait, 29, of no fixed address, has been charged with driving while disqualified, driving without insurance, failure to stop and harassment.

He is due before Southend magistrates today.