Handbag thieves snared after walking into a pub… where police were having their Christmas party

By
Emma Reynolds

Last updated at 8:55 AM on 23rd December 2011

A pair of handbag thieves were caught after they walked into a pub and were greeted by a police Christmas party.

The 25 off-duty officers were tucking into their turkey at The Merchant pub in Battersea, South London, when they recognised the wanted teenagers.

They quickly grabbed the 19-year-olds and called for back-up – before returning to their table in time for pudding.

Festive arrest: The thieves walked into The Merchant in Battersea - not realising the police were having their yearly party there

Festive arrest: The thieves walked into The Merchant in Battersea – not realising the police were having their yearly party there

Heroic PC Lucy Blackmore, Sergeant Richard Cloke and community support officer Craig Mulgrew pounced on the criminals after they were seen acting suspiciously.

Manager Will Aliaga said the team from Lavender Hill station frequently held their seasonal party at the pub – and no doubt he will be inviting them back.

The 31-year-old had noticed the youths staring at his customers’ belongings. ‘I thought something was wrong as soon as I spotted them,’ he said.

Picked the wrong pub: Gangs had been placing magazines over handbags and then removing both items at once

Picked the wrong pub: Gangs had been placing magazines over handbags and then removing both items at once

‘People usually look at the bar to see how busy it is when they walk into a pub.

‘But these two just started looking around and didn’t even look up at the bar.’

The officers blocked the exit as the suspects tried to leave.

‘It was unlucky for them,’ added Mr Aliaga. ‘I’m pretty sure they didn’t expect 25 local bobbies to be in there. How unlikely was that?

‘We were all laughing about it afterwards. It was like: “Happy Christmas!”‘

Staff are now checking CCTV footage to see if the suspects were captured on film.

The capture will have been a relief to those affected by a spate of thefts in the area, where callous thieves had been placing magazines over people’s possessions and picking both up together.

Chief Inspector Charlotte Taylor. of Wandsworth Police, said: ‘I am delighted that my officers acted in
this positive way, particularly at this time of year when this type of
crime causes considerable distress to victims.

‘Their actions show police officers are
never off duty and always willing to intervene when they suspect crimes
are being committed.’

The two young men men were arrested on suspicion of going equipped to steal and were bailed to return next month, police said.

Here’s what other readers have said. Why not add your thoughts,
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The comments below have been moderated in advance.

nice picture of the pub though James! Merry Christmas!!

I believe my wife owns a handbag but I’m not sure what it looks like, thank goodness for that picture.

heroic PC lucy???? she had 25 hungry coppers as back up, when we have soldiers being shot at overseas i think the word heroic is a tad strong.

poetic justice

DM-Thank you for showing a photograph of a handbag as I was unsure what one looked like.

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