A wanted man ran across rooftops, gardens and a railway track before being caught by police.
 

Officers had been carrying out checks yesterday morning on houses where known associates of the man were believed to be living.
 

When they approached Leicester Villas in Portslade, a man was spotted climbing on to the roof of a house and start running across the rooftops.
 

He then dropped into an alleyway and ran into Portland Road where the chase continued into Boundary Road and through gardens in Vale Road.
 

Residents who spotted the man darting through their gardens or dashing across their roof tops quickly alerted officers to help in the chase.
 

The man then crossed the railway track and continued running until police finally caught him in half a mile away Links Road.
 

The incident involved 18 police cars, vans and motorbikes as the force used every resource available in the area at the time to track the man down.
 

The chase began at 11.50am and the man was in custody by 12.04pm.
 

Inspector Chris Thompson praised residents in the area who had done what they could to help.
 

He said: “We had people coming out and alerting officers, telling us where the man was and whether he was on their roof or in their garden and then what direction he was going in.
 

“Drivers in the area also showed a lot of patience and willingness to help by helping to keep the roads clear as our vehicles came by.
 

“It was a busy area and then there was suddenly a lot of police officers and vehicles suddenly appearing and areas were being cordoned off.
 

“We are very grateful to the community for its support and understanding.”
 

The local man was wanted by police for “serious” offences, including breaking into homes and violent incidents.
 

He was being questioned by officers last night.