Darwen removal man praised for chasing off Manchester mugger (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Darwen removal man praised for chasing off Manchester mugger

1:00pm Thursday 10th January 2013 in News By Dan Clough, Reporter

A REMOVAL man from Darwen was praised by police after he thwarted a robber who took a woman’s bag in Manchester.

Wayne Lennon, 54, was carrying out a house move in Station Road, Crumpsall, when he realised a mugging was in progress.

He gave chase and persuaded the robber to drop the bag, recovering the stolen item.

Police said the 47-year-old victim was pushed over from behind as she was walking along the road.

She dropped her handbag and screamed while the thief grabbed it before running off down Station Road.

Mr Lennon, of Wyre Crescent, who works for Darwen firm Movers, said he could not just stand by and watch the man steal the bag.

He said: “I was just loading the van when I heard a woman screaming ‘he’s got my bag’.

“I jumped off and set off after him. I just kept shouting at him what I was going to do to him. He kept looking over his shoulder and when he saw the look on my face I think he panicked and threw the bag at me.

“I am just annoyed I couldn’t catch him, but at least the woman got her bag back. It isn’t on, really, just stealing some poor woman’s bag. It was daft when you think about it, though. He could have had a knife or anything.”

PC Wai Can Li, from North Manchester Division, thanked Mr Lennon for his brave actions.

He said: “The passer-by deserves huge credit for attempting to intervene by running after this mugger.

“His quick actions were carried out with little thought for himself, resulting in the woman getting her handbag back.”

Anyone with information on the robbery is asked to call the police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

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