Special Sue honoured for deflating thieves' tyres

Sue Bohanan made sure the shoplifters could not escape by letting their car's tyres down

A woman who co-ordinates volunteer special constables in Staffordshire has been given a national award for tackling a group of shoplifters near her home.

Sue Bohanan blocked the men's exit from her local Co-op in Gnosall, then gave chase before eventually letting their tyres down as she awaited back-up.

She was given a medal at the National Police Chiefs Council’s annual Police Public Bravery Awards on Thursday.

Ms Bohanan said: "I was really angry, because I thought 'How dare you do that to a shop in the local community?'"

The co-ordinator with the county's special constabulary was going into the store on 6 December last year, when she saw three men get out of a car and start emptying the shelves of bottles.

'Brave actions'

She first blocked off the entrance and challenged them, but they managed to leave the store and get across the road, with Ms Bohanan following them.

They did not have time to get into the car, so they went off onto some nearby fields.

She then called 999 and let down the tyres on the car the men had arrived in, further limiting their chances of escape.

More officers arrived and detained one of the men, who was later charged and fined in court.

Staffordshire Chief Constable Chris Noble said: "It makes me really proud that Sue’s brave actions have received national recognition.

“It takes bravery, as well as instinctive reaction, to do what Sue did. She is someone who is invested in day-to-day policing, is clearly very committed to her local community and has a real sense of justice at her core as well."