'Hammer thug' caught by off-duty police

A robber who allegedly ransacked a Chelsea antiques shop was caught by chance in a dramatic police chase through London.

Two off-duty officers came across a gang of four men as they fled Bourbon-Hanby Arcade off the King's Road yesterday lunchtime.

The men - armed with a hammer - had stormed through the shop and attacked the 60-year-old owner. As shoppers watched, they smashed counters and battered the owner over the head as he tried to defend his stock.

But as they sped away from the Sydney Street arcade in a Renault Clio they were spotted by the officers. Chasing the gang in their own cars, the police officers contacted colleagues with details.

When the attackers, all aged 18 to 20, dumped the getaway car in Brixton and tried to run away, police closed in and arrested the driver. The Met said a 20-year-old man had been arrested on suspicion of robbery.