A man wanted by police for over a year was finally caught after he fled from a taxi so he didn't have to pay a £4 fare.

Officers had been dealing with an incident in Stalybridge when they were flagged down by a taxi driver on Saturday night.

The driver told police that three males had fled from his taxi and 'forgotten' to pay him.

Two officers managed to catch up with one member of the group and ran a check on their computer.

It later transpired that the male had been wanted for over a year for failing to attend his community service on numerous occasions.

A 28-year-old male has since been arrested for breaching his community order.

A post on the GMP Tameside Facebook page said: "Whilst officers were dealing with an incident in Stalybridge they were stopped by a taxi driver reporting three males had fled his taxi forgetting to pay him.

"Unfortunately for the males, they did it in front of the officers and ran into the estate at Booth Close. As they did they ran away laughing and continued to do so whilst officers were searching for them.


"Between the two officers, they managed to corner one of the group.

"Whilst one officer rang the taxi company asking the driver to meet them, the other checked the male out on the police national computer.

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"It transpired that he had been wanted for over a year for failing to attend his community service on a number of occasions.

"When the taxi driver returned they discovered that the fare that wasn't paid for was for £4.

"The male will remain in police custody waiting the first available court which is Monday morning."