Pc who foiled knife robbery praised

Five suspects have been arrested after Pc James Darnton confronted a group of men who had threatened two youths with a knife near the Sainsbury’s store in Mill Lane, Tadcaster.

Pc Darnton’s actions have been praised by senior officers from the North Yorkshire force and will be put forward for a commendation.

Det Con Lee Boyeson, of York CID, said: “The intervention by one of our off-duty officers prevented what could have turned out to be an even more serious incident. Pc Darnton deserves a great deal of credit for his brave actions.”

After Pc Darnton intervened, the offenders fled the scene in a gold-coloured Citroen Saxo, which was located to the Chapelfields neighbourhood of York following police inquiries.

An unmarked police car followed the car before stopping it on Cornlands Road where officers arrested the five occupants.

Two 19-year-old men, a 21-year-old man, an 18-year-old man and a 15-year-old girl, all from the York area, were in police custody yesterday for questioning about the attempted robbery, which happened at about 7.50pm on Wednesday. Anyone with information can call 0845 6060247.