Quick-thinking shoppers helped catch a thief at a shopping centre.

Members of the public spotted a woman steal a purse from a bag in the Arndale Centre in Eastbourne.

The thief was seen pretending to bend down and tie up her shoe laces before pinching the purse and running off on Friday (April 13).

Inspector Tony Wakefield of Sussex Police said: "The members of the public who witnessed this theft take place called the police and Arndale security.

"Both the police and Arndale security searched for the female who had run off and the suspect was arrested nearby."

A 24-year-old woman was arrested in connection with the incident and has been bailed pending further investigations.