Armed robbers chased off by police officer wearing only his boxer shorts

‘I’m glad I was able to intervene, although if it happens again, I hope I have more clothes on’

The four raiders fled Barnes High Street empty handed on mopeds (Google)

It should have been an uneven fight: they were four-strong and came armed with pick-axe, sledgehammer and chisel; he was on his own and dressed only in his pants.

But a quartet of robbers who tried to smash their way into a southwest London jewellers fled empty handed after being chased away by an off-duty police officer – wearing nothing but boxer shorts.

The 29-year-old, who has not been named, was in bed when awoke by a disturbance near his home in Barnes High Street in the early hours of Friday morning.

When he realised it was a break-in at a nearby shop, he ran from his house semi-naked to apprehend the suspects.

Despite having the pick-axe thrown at him, he managed to stop anything from being swiped from the jewellers.

The four raiders fled – on mopeds – not only empty handed but having also dropped their weapons, which are now being analysed for evidence.

The officer, who cut his foot on broken glass but was not otherwise injured, said: “I’m glad I was able to intervene in this case… although if it happens again, I hope I have more clothes on.”

Commander Sally Benatar, from the Metropolitan Police’s South West Borough Command Unit, said: “The bravery of this officer undoubtedly stopped the suspects from stealing anything from the premises.

“He is a brand new officer, merely days into his role as a PC and he should be very proud of his actions. I have spoken to him today to thank him for his outstanding efforts.This morning’s events go to show that police officers are never off duty, and will always go above and beyond to help their community.”

No arrests have been made but enquiries are ongoing.

Anyone with information is asked to call the South West Burglary Team on 07557 313 090, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.