Moment have-a-go heroes nab a ‘robber’ and pin him to CHAIR until police arrive after he ‘tried to steal a man’s watch’
THIS is the moment a group of have-a-go heroes stop an alleged thief and pin him to a chair before police arrive.
The suspect was held by brave members of the public in the affluent area of Sloane Square, West London, at around 6.25pm on Wednesday.
Onlookers are understood to have rushed to a victim’s aid after the man allegedly attempted to steal a watch.
The man, in his 30s, initially ran from the scene before being stopped by members of the public, police say.
They then pushed the suspect into a chair and surrounded him, before calling over nearby police officers.
The victim, meanwhile, suffered scratches to his arm but did not require hospital treatment.
Footage posted on social media shows a man being led away by a police officer.
The members of the public cheered and could be seen applauding as the man was placed into handcuffs.
A caption on the video said: “This happened on the pavilion road this evening a guy had his watch stolen.
“The guy was caught by a member of the public, the police came and he was arrested.”
One witness was heard shouting “oh here we go!” as a passerby as two police officers approach.
It is not known whether the officers were called to the scene or simply happened to be passing by.
A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said: “Police were called at around 18.25hrs on Wednesday, September 6, to Pavilion Road SW3 to reports that a man suspected of stealing a watch was being held at the scene by members of the public.
“Officers attended and the 23-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of robbery and taken into custody where he remains.
“It is believed a male victim had the watch stolen from his wrist in nearby Cadogan Gardens.
“The suspect ran from the scene and dropped the item in Pavilion Road where he was stopped and detained by members of the public.
“The watch was recovered and returned to the victim prior to the arrival of officers.
“The victim – a man in his 30s – received scratches to his arm and hand during the incident. He did not require hospital treatment.”