A man who allegedly stole £170 ($220) from a woman in Manchester got more than he bargained for when a random man in the street tackled him to the ground as he made his escape.
The alleged thief was trying to make a speedy getaway down Manchester's main shopping street, Market Street, when the heroic stranger stepped out and absolutely smashed him.
He executed what seems to be a textbook rugby tackle to stop the fleeing man in his tracks.
The alleged robber was then pinned to the floor and held by other shoppers and commuters until the police arrived to take him away.
The police then later confirmed that a 43-year-old man had been questioned in connection with a suspected theft. The woman who reported that £170 had been stolen from her at a cash machine is believed to have had her money returned.
A bystander who witnessed the dramatic events unfold said: "I was just walking down the street when all hell suddenly broke loose. One guy was running full pelt whilst others were running behind him shouting: 'Stop thief!'
"He was then rugby tackled to the ground and pinned down. Some onlookers were going on about the guy's human rights and calling for him to be let go but I'm guessing they didn't know what was going in the run to it.
"The guy put up quite a struggle but he was no match for the others who grabbed him. It was like a scene from an old-fashioned TV 1970s cop show. I'm guessing with all this stuff about Wild West Britain and shortages of police officers, it's inevitable these spectacular citizen's arrests are going to become more commonplace."
A statement from Greater Manchester Police read: "Shortly before 1.30pm today police were called to reports of a theft on Market Street in the city centre.
"A man had taken money from a woman withdrawing cash and was then detained by members of the public.
"A 43-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of theft from the person of another and remains in custody for questioning.
"Enquiries into the full circumstances around this incident are ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact police."
Under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (1984) the law states that anyone can arrest someone if they are committing an indictable offence, or they have reasonable grounds to suspect that they have committed an indictable offence.
However, it also says that you shouldn't make a citizen's arrest unless the person is causing physical injury to themselves or others, causing damage or loss of property, or making an escape before the police can arrive.
Featured Image Credit: Cavendish PressTopics: Rugby, Police, UK News, News, theft, crime, Manchester, UK