by Hayley Robinson

The town’s top cop says he wants to shake hands with the have-a-go hero who helped an officer arrest a man wielding a crowbar.

Just moments earlier the offender had used the weapon to smash the front window of Battrum and Son jewellery shop, in High Street, Sittingbourne.

Three Rolex watches worth nearly £16,000 were taken during the raid just before noon on Friday, September 16.

Two plain clothes police officers, who were in the area at the time, saw the incident and chased the man down the road.

Shoppers helped direct them and they split up to try to come at him from different directions.

The chase ended when one of the officers caught the thief in the car park area of Sainsbury’s, in Avenue of Remembrance, .

After shouting out that he was a police officer making an arrest a man raced over and held on to the thief’s arm, which still had hold of the metal bar, until the handcuffs were on.

District commander for Swale, Ch Insp Tony Henley, said: "The man was late 50s possibly early 60s but he disappeared. I would like him to come forward so I can shake his hand and hopefully present him with something because acts of bravery like this cannot go unnoticed.

"If he doesn’t come forward at least he will know through this article that he has made a real difference.

"This is a real example of how much better we can do our job when the public pitch in and help. The officers did really well but they wouldn’t have succeeded had it not been for the public."

John Andrew Roffey , 30, of Bellegrove Road, Welling, has been charged with burglary and criminal damage. He pleaded guilty to the charges when he appeared before Maidstone Magistrates Court on Saturday .

He has been remanded in custody pending sentencing at Maidstone Crown Court. A date is yet to be set.

Are you the mysterious have-a-go hero? Contact the newsdesk on 01795 580300.