A have-a-go hero was praised by police and a store manager after he chased three shoplifters and grabbed the getaway driver through their car window.

And he only let go when he thought he might be crushed between the car and a tree.

The brave shopper was in Halfords superstore, Chelmer Retail Park, around 2.30pm on Monday when he saw the shoplifters race out with £500-worth of goods.

Store security tags had been broken and an alarm sounded.

The Chelmsford man chased the three to the far side of the car park, near Pizza Hut. They all jumped into a blue car, but the Halfords customer was not deterred.

Pc Tammy Sutton, of Chelmsford police, said: "He grabbed the driver in a hug through the window but was forced to let go when it drove close to a tree.

"It was a brave effort to stop these shoplifters."

The getaway driver is described as about 5ft 11ins tall and skinny, with blond hair in a ponytail.

Halfords manager Nick Licence said: "It was a wonderful and courageous thing to do. He could have been hurt, but luckily he wasn't."

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