Stop thief - 1st New Barn Scouts do their duty - 26-03-2010
Two brothers from 1st New Barn Scout Group didn’t hesitate when they saw a crime being committed.
Peter and David Stafford (sons of Group Scout Leader Jon) were visiting relatives in Basingstoke, Hampshire and were in the town centre looking for some lunch when a shoplifter ran out in front of them, pursued by a single shop security guard. Peter and David immediately joined the chase, eventually cornering the man about half a mile away.
Between the two scouts and the security guard they prevented the shoplifter from escaping despite being threatened with a knife. When the Police arrived, the man was arrested and subsequently pleaded guilty to theft and threatening behaviour and has been sentenced.
David (17) is an Explorer Scout from the Loki Explorer Unit of the scout group and has been in scouting since he was 8 years old.
Peter (19) is an adult leader with the Scout section. He also has been a member since he was 8 years old. Peter is currently part way through training as a special constable in the Kent Police.
“We saw the man run out of the shop and thought that the security guard was going to need help”, said Peter. “We didn’t think about it really. It was just the right thing to do.”
“When we cornered the man,” said David, “he threatened to use a knife so Peter identified himself as a Kent Police Special Constable while I telephoned the Hampshire Police and kept up a commentary until help arrived”.
After the arrest, both Scouts had to give statements to the local police so that an effective prosecution could be made. They have received letters of thanks from the Hampshire Police Force.
Peter said, “The thief didn’t seem too impressed that I was a Kent Special and suggested that I **** off back to Kent!”
Their father, Jon Stafford, got quite a shock when told that his sons were at Basingstoke Police Station making statements! “All sorts of things whirl through your mind when you hear that,” said Jon. “I was very impressed with both of them, especially David who has not had police training but responded coolly in a tense situation.”
The Scout promise starts “On My Honour, I Promise To Do My Best, To Do My Duty” - they did just that!
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