A handbag thief has been dubbed Sussex's dumbest villain after falling for a quick-thinking officer's mobile phone trick.

The crook struck in Hastings town centre, fleeing with a woman's bag containing personal belongings and her mobile phone.

The victim's friend phoned the stolen mobile and the thief answered.

PC Jason Tuck arrived, took over the conversation and jumped into his patrol car.

He asked the thief: "Look, keep the money but can you leave the bag somewhere and the mobile. She needs it for work?"

Here's how the conversation continued.

Thief: "Yeah, I'll leave it just here."

PC Tuck: "Where are you?"

Thief: "Just by the cinemas."

PC Tuck: "I'm not from round here, where is that?"

Thief: "In Albert Road. Do you know it?"

PC Tuck: "No, is it near the front?"

Thief: "Yeah. Look, I'll put the bag by the door of this shop."

PC Tuck: "That's really good of you. And by the way, turn round because you're nicked."