A response officer chased down a violent robber after he entered a church and stole an elderly woman’s handbag.
The incident happened just after 5pm on Wednesday 24 September at The Cathedral Church of St. Barnabas in Derby Road.
PC Jamie Martin had been driving his marked police car along Derby Road when he saw the victim, aged 75, waving her arms in distress.
She was surrounded by members of the public who were pointing in the direction of a man running towards Browns Restaurant.
PC Martin left his police vehicle and chased after the suspect when he discovered a robbery had occurred.
Within two minutes he had wrestled the suspect to the ground and retrieved the stolen bag, which still contained all her belongings.
John McSalley, aged 41, was arrested and charged with robbery and appeared at court where he was handed a 12-month prison sentence and fined £100.
McSalley is a known violent offender.
A police investigation into the incident found that McSalley had entered the church and while the victim was praying, he had snatched the handbag from her side.
Two members of the church had tried to stop him, but he had managed to flee the scene. PC Martin then caught him minutes later.
PC Martin explained what happened on the day.
He said: “I was on mobile patrol travelling along Derby Road when I saw a woman in distress waving her hands towards me.
“I also saw a man running in front of her and immediately alerted the control room.
“As I turned the car around, I stopped on the corner of North Circus Street and spoke to the man running who informed me that a man had robbed a woman’s belongings and pointed in the direction he was travelling.
“As I left the police vehicle, other members of the public were pointing in the same direction, and I gave chase.
“I shouted at the suspect to stand still and show me his hands. I was not aware if he was carrying any weapons.
“I then placed him in an arm lock and took him to the ground where he was handcuffed and arrested on suspicion of robbery.
“When other police units arrived, I then carried out an immediate search of the area, determined to find the victim’s bag and get it back to her.
“I found it dumped over a small fence. I then stayed with the victim, who had sustained bruised fingers as a result of the robbery.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank those members of the public who gave me clear directions on where the suspect was heading so I could arrest him quickly.”
Sergeant Matthew West has commended his officer’s actions on the day.
He said: “His speedy actions in apprehending the suspect and locating the bag helped our CID department obtain key evidence in this case.
“This type of work is the very reason we all join the police, to protect the most vulnerable in our society and lock up those who seek to target them.
“Had it not been for PC Martin’s quick actions I have no doubt this offender would have got away with the victim’s belongings.
“What makes this more deserving of recognition is that PC Martin has carried out all of these actions and inquiries whilst single crewed.
“He gave chase to a violent offender without the support of any colleagues. He also stayed with the victim after the incident occurred and provided an exemplary service, with her welfare at the heart of every decision he made.”
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