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Ilfracombe sea rescue: Suspected thief swims out to sea

News imageSteve Porter Rescue operationSteve Porter
The suspected thief took refuge on some rocks before being brought back to the beach by a lifeboat

A suspected thief got into difficulty and had to be rescued after swimming out to sea to avoid police.

Police believe he stole three tester bottles of Hugo Boss fragrance from a shop in Ilfracombe, Devon.

Officers chased the man who they said took "drastic measures" to evade arrest on Tuesday at about 16:50 BST.

He took refuge on some rocks next to the town's Landmark Theatre before having to be rescued by the local lifeboat team.

"A few minutes longer and things would have been very different," police said.

The man received medical care but had no serious injuries.

Police said they would deal with the alleged offences later in the week.