A MAN who made a citizen’s arrest on an ATM thief is calling on the community to “not turn a blind eye” when trouble arises.

After the terrible events in Westminster last week, Peter Lycett is hoping his bravery in Chingford on Sunday (March 19) will inspire others to take similar action.

The 48-year-old company director was on his usual Sunday morning walk to pick up a newspaper when he saw the first sign of trouble.

As he walked out the alleyway which shortcuts Mornington Road into Station Road at 11.30am, he heard a man cry out for help.

The man had just tried to withdraw cash from an ATM outside Santander bank, when no money came out.

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Seeking assistance from the bank’s staff he then returned to find a man tampering with the cash machine and gave chase.

Mr Lycett said: “He was shouting ‘stop, he’s stole my money, he’s stole my card.’”

He didn’t think twice before chasing the man who had dashed down the alleyway.

Mr Lycett added: “The bloke chasing him didn’t look up to much so I thought he’s never going to catch him.

“I do boxing and a lot of fitness so I thought I’ll get him.

“I ran back down the alley and found him hiding behind a car in Mornington Road and pushed him to the floor and restrained him with my weight.

“The police took so long getting there he got his breath back.

“He kept struggling so rather than hit him I asked some other people to sit on him as well.”

Arriving 30 minutes later, officers arrested Ionut Miron, 35, of Northdown Road, Hornchurch, and charged him with attempted theft and going equipped for theft.

On Monday (March 20), Miron plead guilty to both counts at Thames Magistrates’ Court.

He was sentenced to 12 weeks in prison and ordered to pay a £115 victim surcharge.

Mr Lycett said he is sick and tired of people “turning a blind eye” when something happens to people they don’t know.

He said: “It isn’t right, the whole high street was full and I was the only one who ran after him.

“They just stood there and watched.”

Mr Lycett hopes the people of Chingford will not just stand by in future.

He added: “If they see someone else in trouble they should help them.”