A CRIMINAL was caught with his pants down by a quick-thinking police community support officer – who ended up with a broken nose for his trouble.

The semi-naked fugitive lost his trousers and underwear as he tried to clamber over a wall with the officer hot on his heels.

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As the man, who was suspected of being involved in an alleged assault in Blackburn’s Church Street, tried to escape he kicked PCSO Hasim Sattar in the face, breaking his nose as he tried to detain him.

The 20-year-old officer said: “He was climbing the wall and I had hold of one of his legs but he was kicking out with the other.

“He caught me flush in the nose with a kick and left me dazed but I still had hold of him.

“He struggled free and got over the wall but I was left holding his tracksuit bottoms, including his boxer shorts and his trainers.”

Officers had been called to an altercation, which took place close to The Mall shopping centre between two men.

It allegedly resulted in one man assaulting the other at around 3.30pm on Friday.

The suspect was spotted soon after by PCSO Sattar running away from the incident.

PCSO Sattar, who has worked as part of the town centre policing team for nearly two years, chased him and caught him as he was scaling a wall in Fleming Square.

The hapless suspect, attempting to hide his shame with his hands, continued his bid to escape but he did not get far before other officers found him.

He was arrested at the nearby Sun Hotel in Astley Gate.

PCSO Sattar, who lives in Bolton and is based at the Boulevard police station, refused to take any time off to recover from his injury and later continued with his shift.

Tony Ford, watch liaison officer for the police in East Lancashire, said: “What a great example this young PCSO is, showing such determination to catch the suspect.

“He received a painful injury but still continued his duties which is commendable.

“There’s obviously a humourous side to this incident but it’s an example of dogged community policing which resulted in a suspect being caught.

“Regarding him losing his trousers and underwear I suppose the lesson is for criminals to make sure you dress for every eventuality!”

PCSO Sattar’s role is funded by the Blackburn Business Improvement District.

He works with a team of seven police officers, one sergeant and an existing PCSO to increase the police presence in the town centre as part of measures to make it safer and more secure.

A police spokesman said: “A man suspected of being involved in assault was pursued and arrested at a pub on Astley Gate, Blackburn.

“A 27-year-old man from the Blackburn area was questioned on suspicion of committing actual bodily harm and assault by beating.

“He has been released on police bail until Sunday, May 22 as investigations continue.”