Barnoldswick man's canal escape attempt

10:01pm Monday 21st April 2008

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A HAPLESS teenager asked two police officers if they could get him a taxi home - then pulled a bag of cocaine out of his pocket.

Realising his mistake, say police, the teenager fled the scene and jumped into the nearby Leeds and Liverpool canal.

But the 19-year-old was arrested shortly afterwards and arrested on suspicion of possessing class A drugs.

Police were stopped by the youngster, who was thought to be under the influence of drink and drugs, in Coates Avenue, Barnoldswick, at around 1.30am on Saturday.

Sgt Matt Henderson said the teenager first asked the officers whether they could get him a taxi home.

"The officers have then asked him if he has any money for a taxi and he empties his pockets.

"But when he pulls out his money, what appears to be a bag of cocaine is in his hand as well," he said.

"When he realised that the officers had seen it, and wanted to speak to him about it, he ran off."

The youngster fled along Coates Avenue and jumped into the canal, in a bid to escape detection.

But Sgt Henderson says the pursuit only lasted for a short while before the teenager was caught and arrested.

The 19-year-old, who is from the Barnoldswick area, was taken to Burnley police station for questioning about the incident.

He was later given a police caution for possessing cocaine, added Sgt Henderson.