Watch: The moment a crook falls over a garden fence in Birmingham while pursued by police

Police drone footage shows the comical moment a hapless crook fell over a garden fence during a bungled attempt to escape from officers.

The 54-year-old man took a painful tumble to the ground while being chased by police in Hodge Hill, Birmingham, in the early hours of this morning (Thursday, February 9).

Night vision video captured the suspect making his way through residents’ back gardens as a police dog handler and other offices closed in. But as he tried to leapfrog a garden fence, he can be seen falling flat on his back before getting to his feet and sheepishly walking away.

Officers quickly tracked him down with the help of the drone before he was arrested on suspicion of possessing an offensive weapon, drugs and failing to appear at court. Another man, 45, was detained nearby on suspicion of a public order offence, criminal damage and possessing an offensive weapon.

A West Midlands Police spokesperson said: “We arrested a 54-year-old man on suspicion of possessing an offensive weapon, drugs and failing to appear at court in Morris Road, Hodge Hill, during the early hours of this morning (9 February).

“A 45-year-old man was also detained in Southern Road on suspicion of a public order offence, criminal damage and possessing an offensive weapon. They both remain in custody for questioning.”

WMP Eye in the Sky shared the footage of the botched escape attempt on social media. They wrote: “D Unit Nights Duty Drone working alongside Force Support Unit and Force Response at an arrest attempt. One male made off into gardens. Drone guided dogs and Force Response in. Two in custody.”