Police in Newton Abbot have praised the quick response of shoppers in the town after an elderly woman was robbed of the cash she had just withdrawn from the bank.
The incident happened shortly after 1pm on Wednesday when the 77-year-old, who lives in Torbay, visited the Courtenay Street branch of Lloyds TSB. Having withdrawn £40 from the bank's cash machine, she was then robbed of the money by a young man who ran off into the lunchtime crowd. Onlookers quickly realised that something was amiss and a man, in town to buy a Valentine gift for his wife, gave chase while the shocked pensioner was comforted by others.
The pursuit was soon over and the thief was caught in the Sherborne Road area close to the town's bus station. Security officers were quickly on the scene and the culprit was detained until police arrived. He was taken to the town's police station where, at the time of going to press, he was helping with inquiries.
He is thought to be local to the area. Although the pensioner was said to be extremely shaken by the incident, she was unharmed and her cash was returned. PC John Fisher said that while members of the public should always be careful about tackling suspected criminals, he had been impressed by the actions of those on the scene.
'It was only thanks to the quick response by members of the public on this occasion that we were able to bring about a very quick and satisfactory conclusion to what was potentially a very traumatic offence,' he said. 'Their actions go some way to restoring faith in people and it demonstrates that if we want to live in a decent society it is up to all of us to make it so.'
PC Fisher said that anyone with additional information relating to the incident should contact Newton Abbot Police on 08452 777444 and quote log number JN/07 489.