TOP police officer Della Cannings is the toast of her force after collaring two drunken yobs single handed.

Control room staff leapt into action when they received a call from Mrs Cannings, 51, who said she had arrested the youths outside a pub.

A young officer was despatched to the scene where the North Yorkshire Chief Constable handed them over.

She had been driving from a Festival of Remembrance when she saw four young men allegedly vandalising advertising banners outside the Riverside Farm restaurant and pub, on the A19, near Skelton, North Yorkshire.

She ordered her driver to stop in the car park, got out and grabbed two of the young men.

"It's just proves that we are all police officers, and I have the powers of a constable even though I am the chief constable," she said.

"Clearly, if there is unacceptable behaviour I would expect to take action and, of course, I would expect all my officers to do the same."

Mrs Cannings was wearing police uniform when the incident occurred as she returned from the festival, at the York Barbican, on Sunday, at 11pm.

A police spokesman said that two York men, aged 23 and 19, had been released on police bail, pending further inquiries.

A spokesman said: "It is encouraging for everyone in the force to see the chief constable leading from the front like this."

Mrs Cannings began her career in the police force in 1975 after completing a maths degree.

The Exeter-born officer began as a recruit with Devon and Cornwall Police, progressing through the ranks. She became Deputy Chief Constable of Cleveland in 2000.

She took up her current post in October last year and has vowed to clampdown on street crime.