High street heroes: Bridgnorth community tackles bag snatchers

And now shop workers have warned that criminals who come to the town to fill their boots thinking the town is a soft touch will be in for a shock.

The victim was walking along Whitburn Street at around 10.10am with two youngsters safely tucked up in their double buggy, when she was approached from behind by two men. One of the men attempted to grab the bag from her shoulder, but a shop worker came to the rescue, shouting and raising the alarm to scare them off.

As the two men tried to make a run for it, one was tackled to the floor by a female passer-by. Two members of staff from Mike and Sarah's butchers gave chase in their aprons, while marathon fundraiser Dana Power, who runs in a dragon costume, and undertaker John Adams from Perry & Phillips Funeral Directors also joined the pursuit.

The perpetrators split up, with one being chased by a member of the butchers for around half a mile before escaping his view near the the leisure centre in Northgate. In a separate chase, the other was caught by the rest of the cohort, who took a picture to pass to police before releasing him.

Mike Pearce, owner of the butchers, said: "One of the lads spotted what was happening and shouted me. Four of us went out after them."

He added: "A couple of things have happened like that. There's been a bloke spotted who looks like he's staking out the jewellers. I've given people my number so if anything happens we'll go out again.

"A load of us went after them. We look out for each other here. Hopefully it sends a message to people like these men."

Mr Power added: "Everybody was joining in. We all stick up for each other. It's probably best he was let go, you never know what he might have been carrying."

While it was happening, Pam Becke, CCTV co-ordinator for Bridgnorth town centre, was watching but unable to access a bobby on the beat. She says police used to provide her with a radio, but later withdrew it.

She said: "It's getting worse and worse here. This is the seventh one I've seen since December. Are we going to have to wait until someone gets critically hurt before anything gets done? What I don't like is that people say the CCTV is rubbish. It's actually excellent. These robbers are targeting the elderly and people with prams."

A spokeswoman for West Mercia Police said: "We were called to Whitburn Street in Bridgnorth at around 10.15am following a report of an attempted bag theft. Officers attended and confirmed a bag had not been taken. Enquiries are currently ongoing and we are keen to speak to anyone who witnessed the incident or who was in the area at the time of the incident.

Sergeant Chris Thomas of Bridgnorth SNT added: "We are constantly working with local businesses and retailers in a bid to prevent and reduce offences and our officers reguarly carry out patrols within our communities.

"We take all reports of crime seriously and would always encourage anyone who has been a victim to get in touch by calling 101 or 999 in an emergency."