Tragic detective was chasing phone thief

Detective Constable Adele Cashman, 30, a response team officer based at Kentish Town police station, was in pursuit when she collapsed in Belsize Park Gardens, Camden, at 9.45pm yesterday.

She died in hospital shortly later.

The smartphone was snatched out of the hand of a 59-year-old woman in Haverstock Hill and the “much-loved and wholly dedicated” officer chased after two suspects. Uniformed officers on duty in the area saw the chase and joined Det Con Cashman and requested more help.

A 17-year-old boy was arrested at the junction of Belsize Grove and a second boy, also 17, was also arrested and a phone recovered, Scotland Yard said. Det Con Cashman was taken by ambulance to the Royal Free Hospital where she died.

Commander Tony Eastaugh said: “The thoughts of everyone in the Metropolitan Police Service are very much with Adele’s family, friends and colleagues at this extremely difficult time.

“Adele worked on both Camden and Wandsworth boroughs and was held in high regard by all who met her. She will be sorely missed by everyone who had the privilege of working alongside her.”

Acting Borough Commander Richard Tucker, from Camden Police, said: “Adele was a much-loved and wholly dedicated officer.”

He said police in Camden were “completely devastated” at her sudden death.