A ‘heroic’ paper girl who helped catch a suspected thief provided a splash for the regional daily she delivers.

The South Wales Argus dedicated its front page yesterday, below, to 14-year-old Ryley Partridge, who gave chase after hearing shouts from traders about a man who had allegedly stolen a laptop in the town of Blackwood.

Ryley, who delivers the Argus, ran after the suspect with her stepfather Martyn Lancaster before cornering the man when he tried to take a shortcut up some steps.

Gwent Police said a man from Swansea remains in custody on suspicion of theft from a stall at Blackwood Indoor Market.

Mr Lancaster told the Argus: “We were just coming from the Laffan dentists, walking through the town when we heard calls for help with three guys running after a man with a laptop. We looked at each other and decided to go after him.

“We saw that he went through the long loop around the station and decided to cut through on the steps to getting in front of him.

“She’s very fast and I told her to stay back but she didn’t, which was so brave, she’s only just over four foot tall and helped corner the six foot guy.

“Lots of teenagers get a bad press but it was so heroic and I’m very proud.”