An off-duty police officer has given new meaning to the term "strip-search", arresting a violent fugitive in a sauna — while they were both stark naked.

Key points: The off-duty officer was reportedly enjoying a day off when he recognised the man in the sauna

The off-duty officer was reportedly enjoying a day off when he recognised the man in the sauna Rinkeby Police said the arrest was "as stripped-down as it gets"

Rinkeby Police said the arrest was "as stripped-down as it gets" The officer has been praised as a "hero who never takes the day off"

The Swedish officer, who works in the Stockholm suburb of Rinkeby, had only just sat down when he reportedly recognised the wanted man, who was on the run for drug offences and aggravated assault.

Despite his lack of badge (and clothes), the officer was lauded by colleagues as keeping a cool head under heated conditions, taking the sweaty suspect into custody.

"By a coincidence, and rather amusingly, they both recognised each other in the sauna," Rinkeby deputy police chief Christoffer Bohman told the Swedish state broadcaster SVT, according to The Local.

"It's easier to take action when you have your colleagues with you, and all your tools and equipment.

"This was as stripped-down as it gets — in more ways than one."

In a tongue-in-cheek post on social media dubbed "Naked Arrest", Rinkeby Police saluted the unnamed officer for answering the call of duty, "despite being on your day off and relaxing in a spa".

"Despite finding yourself in a packed sauna with a wanted criminal, you kept your wits about you and carried out an arrest while considering the needs of all," it read.

"We are everywhere. Even if you don't see us, we are there."

The officer has received widespread praise online, with many lauding him as a "hero who never takes the day off".