Hampshire Police have released footage that proves there’s truth in the old adage that life can sometime imitate art.
On 23 July this year, a shoplifter made what they hoped would be their escape from the Ocean Way Co-op store in Southampon, but was soon apprehended by police – with a little assistance from TV actor Jeff Stewart, who played PC Reg Hollis in ITV’s The Bill for over two decades.
Body worn cameras reveals a short pursuit outside the store, which moves past a Co-op delivery truck following the escaped shoplifter. He’s then brought to the ground and handcuffed in a neary carpark with the aid of the actor and officers .
It’s unclear why the actor was so willing to help - perhaps the skills learnt on the popular show never left him The man arrested, Mohamed Diallo, 29, of Anglesea Road in he city, has now been sentenced to 20 weeks in prison after pleading guilty to seven shoplifting offences.
Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary later posted on social media: “A shoplifter will now be enjoying a prison stay at His Majesty’s pleasure thanks to Southampton Police, and none other than The Bill’s PC Reg Hollis!”
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