Praise for public's help to capture robbers

THE conviction of two Grimsby men for robbery at a Louth jeweller's is thanks to members of the public, a police inspector said.

Inspector Terry Ball praised passersby who helped apprehend Damion David Clark, 29, whose address was given in court as Littlecoates, Grimsby, and Christopher London, 25, of Watford Avenue, Grimsby.

Both pleaded guilty to robbing Julie Smith of jewellery and cash on June 24 when they appeared at Lincoln Crown Court yesterday, as reported on www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk

Clark also admitted attempting to take a Citroen C3 car belonging to Eric Chapman and a further charge of unlawfully wounding Mr Chapman on the same date. Judge Sean Morris adjourned sentence until next month and both men were remanded in custody.

Today, Inspector Ball said: "The result today is in no short measure due to the pro-activity and involvement of members of the public.

"Times like these are significant and thankfully very rare. The day of the offence was trying and intense because the time of the day at which it was committed was when children were due to leave school and there was potential for great danger.

"I wish to thank the members of the community who helped in whichever shape or form either by giving the directions of the men or by giving witness statements.

He added: "Although their assistance and public spirit is always welcomed, people should ensure they do not put themselves in any unnecessary danger."

A spokeswoman for Eastgate Jewellers said: "We want to thank everyone who helped and has supported us since then."

Both men wore crash helmets as they stormed into the shop.

They stole a number of items and fled out of the shop at around 1.20pm.

But a quick-thinking member of the public had deliberately knocked over their motorcycle and disarmed the clutch, thwarting their planned getaway. Passing motorist Eric Chapman was challenged by one of the robbers who tried to steal his car.

But he resisted and the two robbers had to flee on foot.

They ran from Eastgate into Queen Street and up Aswell Street.

One was apprehended by a retired police officer at the junction of Aswell Street and Kidgate.

His accomplice, wearing a crash helmet fled into the grounds of Kidgate Primary Academy, where he was spotted by staff.

Deputy headteacher Paul Lidbury ordered a lock-down of the school in order to keep all pupils and staff safe.

The robbery in broad daylight led to road blocks on all the roads out of Louth and the Humberside Police helicopter hovered over the town for a couple of hours after the robbery.