The lifeboat had to be called out after a teenager jumped in the sea in a bid to escape police officers chasing him.

Crews were contacted by the coastguard at around 9pm last night after a suspect entered the water in Margate Harbour.

The 18-year-old was being hunted on suspicion of assaulting a police officer and was arrested when he reached the shore.

He remains in police custody today and is being questioned by officers.

Margate RNLI's inshore lifeboat was sent to the area after the man was spotted in the sea.

A spokesman for the lifeboat station said the man was at the end of the harbour arm when he entered the water.

Crew members approached the man to give him assistance back to shore but he declined their help.

The lifeboat ensured he safely swam back to the beach where he was met by waiting police officers.

A police spokesman confirmed officers were called at 9.40pm and arrived at the harbour arm before the man was arrested when a came out of the water.

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