A POLICE officer chased and tackled a man who had reportedly just struck someone with a machete.

While conducting a drug search at Worthing railway station on Sunday, April 10, a British Transport Police sergeant spotted a man hitting somebody with the weapon.

He chased down the suspect and tackled him to the floor.

A picture of the machete used in the attack was shared by Superintendent Mark Lawrie on social media.

The Argus: The machete used in the attack. Credit: Superintendent Mark Lawrie The machete used in the attack. Credit: Superintendent Mark Lawrie

Superintendent Lawrie, who is in charge of operations and crime in the South East, commended the unnamed police sergeant for his “exceptional bravery”.

“Stopping a man for carrying drugs in Sussex, British Transport Police violent crime task force caught the glint of a machete being raised and striking someone 80 away,” he said.

“The sergeant sprinted after him, caught and tackled him to the ground - not realising it had been discarded. It was recovered soon after. Exceptional bravery.”