A DRUGS "king pin" has been jailed for almost six years after cops scuppered a street deal in Stourbridge and chased him down with the help of have-a-go residents.

Police were leaving the home of a suspected 'runner' used by dealer Keyon Holgate in Lye on September 24 following a raid when they spotted him peddling heroin from his car on a street corner.

Officers rushed to Holgate's Ford Focus and smashed a window to distract him and snatch keys from the ignition.

The 21-year-old from Birmingham tried ramming his way past the officers as they boxed-off his escape, shunting the patrol vehicle several times before dashing down an alleyway discarding packets of heroin as he ran.

Several members of the public joined the hunt and helped police stay on Holgate's heels as he hopped over fences and tried lying low in bushes.

One cunning resident even struck up a conversation with the drug dealer and stalled him for several minutes by suggesting he'd call a taxi to aid his escape.

When Holgate, from Abbey Street North in Hockley, realised it was a ruse he again fled but was pursued by the Good Samaritan to the junction of Crabbe Street and Crosswalks Road where police found him hiding. He was charged with possessing heroin with intent to supply and at Wolverhampton Crown Court on December 20 he was jailed for 68 months after admitting the offence.

Arresting officer PC Pete Stephenson, from Dudley Police, said: "Holgate is a drug dealing king pin in the region who thought nothing about peddling heroin in broad daylight.

"The deal we intercepted was taking place just after midday in full view of passers-by including young families; he clearly felt he bossed the streets and could openly deal drugs in public. He can now dwell on that during a long spell behind bars.

"Officers from Dudley Police's Priority Team are stamping down on drug dealing under Operation Ambassador. We know how much harm drug dealing can cause in communities, the undesirable element it attracts and the increase in offences it brings as users try funding habits through burglary and vehicle crime."

And PC Stephenson praised the community spirit of Lye residents who helped him track down and arrest Holgate.

He added: "At every corner people were directing us and pointing the way Holgate had run; several residents actively joined the hunt and one convinced Holgate he would help him by calling a taxi to help him escape.

"Little did Holgate know it was a ploy to stall him; I'm very grateful for everyone's support and between us we've made sure a prolific heroin dealer is off the streets."

Anyone who suspects drug dealing is taking place in their community can call police on 101 or independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 55111.