A quick-thinking mum helped officers arrest two suspected sex pests after seeing them jump into the back of a cab with two women.

Police control room dispatcher Natalie Harman spotted the men, suspected of making unwanted sexual advances towards a number of women in the centre of Canterbury, getting into the car with two potential victims on CCTV.

After researching the taxi firm, she managed to phone the driver without alerting the suspects and arranged for the vehicle to be pulled over.

The men ran away when they saw officers approaching - but Natalie continued to liaise with the CCTV operators and managed to establish their locations.

Using the information Natalie provided, the suspects were arrested and the women's safety was ensured.

Assistant Chief Constable Nikki Faulconbridge said: "Our control room staff deal with challenging situations on a daily basis and play a vital role in supporting and protecting members of the public and providing information to police officers on the ground to help them do the same."

Following the incident in September, Natalie was named control room dispatcher of the year at the national control room awards, a ceremony celebrating the unsung heroes of the emergency services.

She was described in her citation as being passionate about her job, and tenacious in her support for her colleagues and the public.

Natalie said: "I have worked for Kent Police for 14 years and love what I do.

"I am so proud to have achieved this award and help make a difference."

To get the latest updates in ongoing cases, police appeals and criminals put behind bars, click here

Read more: All the latest news from Canterbury