Drowning in Debt: The Desperate Measures of a Shoplifter The latest incident in Bedfordshire, where a shoplifting suspect jumped into the River Great Ouse to evade capture by a police officer on a borrowed bicycle, raises questions about the desperation that drives individuals to extreme measures.
On its surface, this is a bizarre and comical sight – an officer on a rickety bicycle chasing after a would be thief who thinks he can outswim his pursuer.
However, scratch beneath the surface, and you'll find a complex web of societal issues at play.