Praise for 'brave' pair who trapped burglar

Paul Hall spotted a crook driving a stolen van and pal Arthur Williams performed a citizens' arrest.

Insp Ray Mountford described their actions as one of the best examples of Neighbourhood Watch members taking brave and decisive action.

Mr Hall saw the vehicle being parked at Sprotborough Country Club, where he works as a steward.

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Spotting its smashed window, he called the number on the side of the hire van and found that it had been stolen.

Unable to leave the club, Mr Hall passed on the information to Mr Williams, who followed the man on foot.

Other members of the public helped bring the thief back to the club until the police arrived. The offender, who stole the vehicle from Hexthorpe in November, was sentenced to four weeks in prison.

Insp Mountford said: “They went above and beyond what is expected of Neighbourhood Watch members, resulting in a known prolific offender being arrested for burglary and theft.”

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