A NEWLY-ELECTED woman councillor carried out her first civic duty in style - attempting a citizen's arrest.

Lynda Hyde, Tory councillor for Rottingdean, witnessed teenage thieves dumping a stolen car and grabbed one of the youths, telling him: "I'm making a citizen's arrest."

She was in Westmeston Avenue, Saltdean, Brighton, on Sunday when a damaged Austin Metro came to an abrupt stop.

Three youths jumped out, one ran off in one direction and two went the other way.

Mrs Hyde, just elected for her first term on Brighton and Hove Council, said: "I was immediately suspicious and ran after the two."

She lost them briefly but flagged down a passing motorist who drove her in front of the runaways. She jumped out and confronted them.

Mrs Hyde, a company director with three grown-up children, said the youngsters denied any knowledge of the car, which made her even more suspicious.

She said: "I saw them getting out of the vehicle - I know it was them.

"I was even more sure when one said he was 13 and I couldn't touch him because he was a minor. He wouldn't have said that unless he'd been in trouble before.

"I told them I was making a citizen's arrest and grabbed one by the arm."

Mrs Hyde tried to take the youth to a nearby house but became embroiled in a tussle. She said: "I was holding one arm and the youth's accomplice was holding the other."

The 5ft 2in councillor was no match for the 5ft 10in youths, and they broke free and fled. She called police who searched the area but there was no trace.

There have been a number of cars stolen, along with incidents where vandals have let off brakes to roll cars down hills in Saltdean and Rottingdean recently.

Mrs Hyde, praised for her bravery by police, said: "I look back now and realise they could have been armed with knives - but I don't regret taking action.

"We all need to do more to help the police."

Det Insp Andy Young, of Brighton Police, today praised Mrs Hyde. He said: "This is not something we would actively encourage members of the public to do but Mrs Hyde was very brave and we would want to thank her."

He appealed to anyone with information to contact Brighton Police on 01273 606744.

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