Police took a break from a golf tournament - to arrest an alleged drug dealer who parked outside the club where they were playing.

Officers from Bradford's Toller Lane division were taking part in a social event at Headley Golf Club in Thornton.

With the first nine holes completed, the group were on their way to lunch in the clubhouse when Sergeant Simon McCabe spotted an unusual-looking vehicle. The alleged dealer, and another man, had driven to the secluded golf club - unaware the 30 cars parked next to their own all belonged to police officers.

Sergeant McCabe said: "The car had a damaged boot lock and broken window. It stuck out like a sore thumb.

"My initial reaction was What are they doing here? You get to know the cars parked at the club and this one didn't look right, so I went to investigate.

"You could say the two men were a bit teed off. They had driven to what they thought was an out-of-the-way place, only to find it was full of police."

After alerting colleagues back at the station, the off-duty officers finished lunch before going back on the course to complete their 27-hole challenge.

Golf club secretary Alan Goodman today praised Sergeant McCabe for his alertness and said the incident made for interesting conversation in the clubhouse.

"The talk between players is usually about wayward tee shots or missed putts, but the main topic of conversation on this occasion was crime reduction. The club has a corporate membership and the social team from Toller Lane Police usually stage golf tournaments two or three times a year.

"When they do, the course and car park is reserved for their own use. The two men picked the wrong location at the wrong time.''

Chief Inspector Des Broster, of Toller Lane Police, said the incident typified the dedication of his officers, even when they were off duty.

He said: "Police officers are not on a time clock and they can't look away when they see something suspicious. The arrest at the golf club is typical of so many officers here at Toller Lane. It's what we've come to expect of them day in day out.

"We have had many officers commended for off-duty work. I am so pleased our officers are willing to go that extra mile for members of the public."

lTwo men aged 29 and 28 were arrested and questioned in connection with the incident.

e-mail: joanne.earp@bradford.newsquest.co.uk

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