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Quick Thinking
Pensioners trapped thief in shop he was trying to rob
Ron Smith (78) and Robert Anderson (72) have been given a bravery award.
TWO MEN IN their 70s have been hailed as heroes after helping a robber get captured.
The Manchester men – Ron Smith (78) and Robert Anderson (72) – were given a bravery award after the incident on 4 December in Pendlebury, Salford.
They’ve now seen their story spread worldwide.
Ron spotted the robbery taking place, and held the door closed so the attempted robber couldn’t get out.
He was then helped by Robert while the panicked man tried to get out and discovered he was locked inside.
Greater Manchester Police said that the men:
held on tight as the frantic thief tugged at the door, until, realising his escape route was blocked, he ran back to the shop assistant and begged her to help him get away – even telling her she could have back all the cigarettes and cash he’d tried to steal.
The man (aged 19) ran upstairs and climbed out of a window to try and get away “but as he jumped down he was grabbed by a crowd and handed over to police”.
Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Jim Battle thanked the men, saying:
These two gentlemen are local heroes who have stood up for what is right, sending a strong message to criminals that they are not welcome in Salford. They are representative of the strong community spirit that runs through the city and have been rightfully rewarded for their gallantry by the Chief Constable and now recognised for their courage by the city of Salford.
Councillor Peter Dobbs, ceremonial mayor of Salford, said “it took a lot of courage to do what they did and I wanted to meet them to say thank you on behalf of the city of Salford”.
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