Have-a-go heroes tackle bar burglars (From Daily Echo)

Have-a-go heroes tackle bar burglars

1:36pm Wednesday 29th August 2012 in Crime By Tara Russell, News Reporter

Mango

A GROUP of have-a-go heroes tackled a pair of burglars who leapt from the upstairs window of a Southampton bar and restaurant.

The friends who spotted the hooded pair break into the popular Thai restaurant called police before they wrestled with the two culprits as they tried to flee the scene.

One of the group – a man in his 60s – was left with grazes to his arm when one of the burglars grabbed a broom and hit him with its handle.

Now police have urged people with any information to come forward about the crime .

The two intruders, wearing hoods and possibly baseball caps, had kicked through wooden door panels at Mango Thai Tapas Bar and Restaurant, in Portswood Road, at about 11.40pm on Sunday when it was closed.

Police said they were called by members of the public, who were in the restaurant opposite and who had seen people inside.

The two intruders went upstairs to the restaurant’s office and tried to steal the safe but couldn’t and jumped from the upstairs window into Rigby Road.

But the hooded criminals got more than they bargained for when the group of five members of the public were below waiting for them.

After a brief struggle the burglars fled the scene towards Avenue Road and into Spear Road, where they got into a green Peugeot 206.

Tamsin Stone, manager of the familyrun restaurant, said they have been left devastated by the break in.

She said: “Everyone around here knows us and cares for us, but for the group to step in and call police then chase them off was very brave.

“It is really upsetting and I just can’t believe it has happened. We are a family business and we are struggling as it is, let alone having to fix things like this.

“It is scary because they seemed to know where they were going.”

Officers are asking anyone with information to get in touch with Portswood Safer Neighbourhoods Team on 101.