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    Off-duty response officer tackles knife-carrying shoplifter in Arnold



    An off-duty response officer has described how he jumped into action and chased down a knife-carrying shoplifter in Arnold.

    PC Rishi Thobhani was off duty on Thursday 30 May and was walking through the High Street when he noticed Poundland staff chasing after a man.

    The man in question was Michael Delaney, aged 32, a prolific shoplifter known for intimidating staff and using threats of violence.

    He had just stolen a number of items from the store.

    PC Thobhani identified himself as a police officer and instructed him to stop. When Delaney refused, a foot chase ensued.

    Delaney then produced a large kitchen knife and threatened to stab the officer if he continued to follow him.

    As he attempted to detain him, Delaney threatened to stab the officer, with the tip of the blade only a few centimetres from his face.

    Luckily, he managed to pull the knife away and ensure he was detained before further officers arrived on the scene to take him into custody.

    [Music] as the incident was happening I remember thinking that I might get stabbed here but I need to get the knife off this man if I get hurt in the process it’s fine I need to protect the community I was walking and I saw two pound land workers running after somebody I didn’t see that person initially and I’ve gone up to them asked them if they’re okay they told me that there was a shoplifter at the end of the road I I saw the shoplifter I identified myself two poundland and the shop LIF her as a police officer I’m off duty the offender continued to run after seeing me and I’ve given Chase nazza was getting close to him he’s pulled out a large kitchen knife like the largest one in a set let’s say I’ve then shouted knife giving him various commands to drop the knife dro the knife he didn’t drop it he’s then continued to shout threats at me I’ve then asked a member of the public to also call the police my immediate thought was Public Safety and I didn’t want him to harm anyone in the public he was was also threatening if I’d come close to him he’s going to stab me I then saw an opportunity to tackle him I’ve then challenged him with the knife tackled him he’s then swapped the knife hand he’s then come to stab me believe it was couple of centimeters if about an inch maybe from my body we’ve then basically Wrestled a little bit against the wall I’ve pinned him in then got the knife off him disarmed him and then taken him to the floor after a couple of seconds after he was resisting and then detained him until further police officers has arrived ultimately I’m a police officer when I wake up in the morning until I go to sleep so whether I’m on duty or not I’ve signed the oath of allegiance to protect community and property so my main priority was was the community and I didn’t even think about my own safety

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    45 Comments

    4. @philip771 on

      People often slate the police, saying "they're never off duty", but clearly this is what we need – good, honest, sacrificing officers such as this. Good man, better than me I'm sure!

    7. @johndoh1000 on

      I’m sure he’s a diligent cop protecting his community, but in reality he’s making a desperate man’s life worse by arresting him where he’s gonna get charged with armed robbery, threatening a police officer, and whatever else they can throw at him. When he stole a bit of laundry detergent. Detergent which is not primarily in the interest of the public, but rather mostly affects the corporations.

      I should make clear: the thief should not have stolen the goods, especially not with a knife, but we also shouldn’t live in a world where people are so desperate to survive that they’ll steal in the first place.

    8. @johna6968 on

      To think this fella deals with the situation like a hero and tomorrow he will be slagged off by the predictable crowd. Crazy really

    12. @paulmuresan8889 on

      Why would he tackle that shop lifter? Don’t get me wrong, that was super brave, but also kinda unnecessary dangerous. He could stay at a safe distance as long as the shop lifter didn’t attack anyone (which he seems to not do) and keep him spotted for when his colleagues appear to the scene. 🤷‍♂️

    16. @YF104 on

      There are some desent coppers that join to do the job as the should do nice to see for a change well don keep up the good work … BUT remember its not worth loseung you life over a small amount of stock there is always another day your with more to the community to forfill your dutys another day and they will be another day to take the scrote to the nick , never the less you done yourself proub and shown other offices what the job is really all about

    17. @hashtagprinter5333 on

      What the shoplifter stole is truly sad and heartbreaking. And in a way my heart does go out to him.

      He stole: sox, washing powder, washing liquid, joggers and 'Princess' marshmallows.

      I don't blame him entirely, he needed the basic necessities, but could not afford them. These are the basic necessities of life (apart from the sweet packet) he did not steal any luxury items, out of mere greed.

      I blame the government, the people in charge, for not knowing and supporting him in ensuring that he had the basics first, before I blame him.

    18. @hashtagprinter5333 on

      My heart goes out to the burglar, he is not a greedy man. Look at what he stole: Sox, Washing powder, Washing liquid, Joggers and 'Princess' marshmallows sweets. These are the basic necessities of life (apart from the sweet packet), he did not steal any luxury items out of mere greed.

    23. @juleslefumiste9204 on

      So the thug stole some washing powder and 2 Poudland workers went after him? And for what, a minimum wage? That's a complete disregard for your own safety, that's what it is

    25. @MiSt3300 on

      This is what the UK has become people also desperate they carry knives and steal washing powders from shops. What a poor country

    26. @TesterAnimal1 on

      How desperate has life in the UK become when you steal laundry tabs?

      I mean it’s criminal behaviour for sure. But stealing laundry tabs?

      And the billionaire classes have sucked more BILLIONS out of the UK populace over the last ten years. And they sit on their yachts and LAUGH AT US squabbling over crumbs.

    34. @oracle302 on

      You are very much a credit to your uniform , colleagues and community .
      I hope your SMT have recognised your personal and professional commitment in such circumstances ..

    36. @peter6782 on

      well done to this officer, i think he did what he did, because that is who he is and what he believes in as a person, sadly i give credit to him as a person, and not as a polices officer, he mentions the community several times , and being a police officer, but again i see what he did as is make up as a person believing and knowing what is right and wrong. I lost confidence in the police a long time ago, they go for let's say the easy "bust" miner law infringements! and the big ones, they dont go anywhere near !!!

    38. @TAC_1_1 on

      Interesting…"oath to protect community and property"…
      Yet as a British citizen, if you try to protect your own property through using a similar level of force, you will be the one at fault 🤔

    42. @sjoshuan on

      Excellent example of a great police officer protecting and serving.
      This is the golden standard and not what we saw through the covid lockdowns where police acted outside the law and enforcement of government policy that was against common law…. Well done sir and shame on the ones who don't understand their oath.

    43. @kaugurid1608 on

      very strange on my friend was stolen scooter cost 4k police say they not will be looking because they to busy and hire thy catch because thief simple unlucky.

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