Moment two off-duty police officers pounce on burglar armed with crowbar during east London break-in

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Two off-duty police officers detained a burglar armed with a crowbar after spotting a break-in on their way home from a night shift in London.

Police Sergeant Jake Clarkson and Pc Shafi Chowdhury saw the suspect forcing his way into a business premise on Old Street, Hackney.

The man, who was later identified as a serial shoplifter named Michael Lawrence, 43, had used such force to get into the property that he ripped the hinges off a door.

Off-duty police officers PS Jake Clarkson and Pc Shafi Chowdhury confront burglar Michael Lawrence as he emerges from a building in HackneyMet PoliceHaving completed their night shift in Camden, the two officers were not equipped with any police protective gear.

But they immediately called 999 to alert colleagues and waited on each side of the property’s entrance for the man to emerge before wrestling him to the ground.

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They seized the crowbar, which he was carrying, and a bag containing a wrench and a hammer.

They detained him for several minutes before uniformed police officers arrived to arrest the man.

PS Clarkson told how an amble home changed so dramatically.

He said: “We were chatting about our weekend plans one minute, and seconds later we were back in work mode.”

Off-duty police officers PS Jake Clarkson and Pc Shafi Chowdhury grab burglar Michael Lawrence Met PoliceHe explained further: “When you see something like that unfolding, your training just kicks in – you don’t stop to think, you act.

“If it were your home or business, you’d want someone to step in and that’s exactly what we did.

“It was a brilliant case of being in the right place at the right time.”

Pc Chowdhury added: “It was very satisfying to see the look on the man’s face as he was greeted by the two of us.

“It was also a great feeling to see him quickly charged and later plead guilty, knowing he had been held accountable.

“Policing is made that much easier when you have great colleagues around you and I know without a doubt that every person on our team would have done exactly the same.”

Off-duty police officers PS Jake Clarkson and Pc Shafi Chowdhury wrestle burglar Michael Lawrence to the ground Met PoliceThe incident took place on Sunday 13 September at around 6.30am.

Lawrence, of Wentworth Street, Tower Hamlets, pleaded guilty to burglary and going equipped for burglary at a hearing at Stratford Magistrates’ Court on Monday.

He had unsuccessfully attempted to steal a cash till before leaving the scene, say police.

He was remanded on conditional bail and will be sentenced at a later date.