Heroic hairdressing team who chased down thief wins bravery award
Have-a-go heroes who chased and caught a handbag thief who knocked an elderly couple to the ground have received special bravery awards.
Owner John Hurley and hairdresser Charlie Perry - both from Hurley's Hair Design in Bilston - were honoured at West Midlands Police's Good Citizens Awards last night.
Three members of the public who also tried to tackle the thief were praised alongside them. They were 21-year-old Jordan Bailey and Michelle Hawthorne and Janet Dugmore.
Their quick-thinking actions led to the capture of Jason Hall, of Willenhall Road, Wolverhampton, who has since been jailed for three years.
The dramatic events took place on January 21 last year.
John, now 34, and Charlie, now 19, sprung into action after hearing shouts for help outside the salon after Hall barged over 83-year-old Freda Jones and her 86-year-old husband, Ron, who is blind, before running off with a handbag.
Charlie managed to grab the bag strap as Hall ran past her and wrench it from his grasp while John, accompanied by Jordan, hurried down the road to chase the culprit as he tried to climb over a Metro line bridge nearby.
John told the Express and Star: "It was a nice surprise to find out we got this award, we were certainly not expecting it.
"After it all took place I was shocked at what I had done and it only come to me then that he could have had a knife or weapon on him at the time.
"I wouldn't say I was a superhero or anything like that. I did something that I would think someone else in the future would do for me.
"I've never run so fast in my life. I was so proud of the staff on that day.
"I don't think people do enough to look after each these days."
Remarkably John was on hand again a few months later as he chased down an individual who attempted to steal from the nearby Argos store in the town.
Charlie, who works as a stylist, said: "I went outside and saw the poor old lady on the floor. She was crying - not because she was hurt but because she was so happy to get the bag back."
Freda said: "I am so grateful to the staff here for all the help they gave me and my husband. I'm just relieved he did not have a knife or a weapon on him."
Dc Nick Taylor from Wolverhampton Police CID, said the staff were an honour to the community.
"This was a fantastic group effort by members of the public understandably disgusted at seeing an elderly lady targeted for her handbag," he said.
"Between them they were determined this man was not going to get away."
