Barnes bobby stopped burglars in only his underwear

A newly qualified police officer who stopped armed burglars wearing only his underwear has been praised for his quick-thinking and heroic actions.

The 29-year-old officer was off-duty when he was awoken by a disturbance near his home in Barnes High Street, SW13, at about 03:30hrs on Friday, 31 May.

He realised a jewellers' shop window had been smashed and that suspects were attempting to break in. Acting instantly, he ran out into the street in just his boxers - he challenged them and a pick axe was thrown at him.

It narrowly missed him and he picked it up and ran at the suspects to stop them further breaking into the shop. The four suspects managed to escape on mopeds but left behind a number of weapons including a pick-axe, sledgehammer and a chisel.

The shop window was damaged but the suspects did not manage to break in and steal any property. The officer cut his foot on broken glass but was not otherwise injured.
Only passing out from Hendon a fortnight ago, the heroic officer based on the South West Command Unit, who we are not naming, said: “I’m glad I was able to intervene in this case…although if it happens again, I hope I have more clothes on!”

Commander Sally Benatar from the South West Borough Command Unit said: “The bravery of this officer undoubtedly stopped the suspects from stealing anything from the premises.
“He is a brand new officer, merely days into his role as a PC and he should be very proud of his actions. I have spoken to him today to thank him for his outstanding efforts. This morning’s events go to show that police officers are never off-duty and will always go above and beyond to help their community.”

No arrests have been made and enquiries are ongoing.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call police on 101 quoting CAD 991/31MAY19, call the South West Burglary Team on 07557 313 090, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

May 31, 2019