Bike bobby Danny Swietlik chased two thieves into the arms of his assistant chief constable within hours of jumping on a police pushbike for the first time.

Now the Brighton-based officer's pedal power has paid off with the conviction of the two shoplifters.

PC Swietlik, 22, had volunteered to use one of the force's new mountain bikes to patrol the city on September 26.

It was the first time he had used a bike in his 21-month police career.

He was cycling along Western Road, Brighton, when he spotted two young men knocking over a toddler near the HMV music store as they ran through the streets.

He stopped to check on the child before chasing after the two on his mountain bike. S hoppers showed him the thieves' route until he caught up with them and chased them into Russell Road, where Assistant Chief Constable Nigel Yeo and other officers were carrying out an inspection of the area in connection with the Labour Party conference.

PC Swietlik said: "I asked them to stop and they did. I think they were shocked to see a police officer on a bicycle.

"They ran straight into the assistant chief constable. He said to me 'Marvellous, absolutely marvellous' and offered to help."

The two suspects opened their jackets and several Playstation 2 games tumbled out. One of the men was also found to have cannabis.

PC Swietlik arrested them and they were charged.

The younger of the two, aged 17, was found guilty of theft on Thursday at Brighton and Hove Magistrates Court and ordered to serve four months in a youth offenders' institute.

The other, aged 21, appeared at the same court in October, where he was convicted of theft and possession of cannabis and given a 12-month rehabilitation order.

PC Swietlik said: "It was good to see they have been convicted."