A policeman rugby tackled a suspect when he tried to escape in Rochdale, England.

The man in a grey top and tracksuit bottoms had been arrested on suspicion of theft, carrying drugs, and weapons offences, on May 9.

He was being held in the back of an ambulance before suddenly trying to flee along Whitworth Street.

Dashcam footage shows how the officer emerged from the side of the petrol station and wrestled him to the ground as he attempted to run in another direction.

Both of them fell to the ground before the policeman sprung up to pin him down while the other cops rushed to his aid.

The Greater Manchester Police Traffic unit said the officer's intervention was courageous and emphasised the importance of teamwork in law enforcement.