Actor who starred in The Bill helps police arrest shoplifter

The histrion who played PC Reg Hollis successful deed TV bid The Bill has been praised by officers aft helping them apprehension a shoplifter.

Jeff Stewart stepped successful erstwhile a thief attempted to flight connected a bicycle successful Southampton connected Wednesday.

In a statement, a Hampshire Constabulary spokesperson said: "The thief, 29-year-old Mohamed Diallo, fell disconnected the motorcycle during his attempts to flee, earlier officers pounced to marque their arrest.

"To their surprise, section TV fable Jeff Stewart, who played PC Hollis for 24 years successful The Bill, came to their assistance by sitting connected the suspect's legs portion officers enactment him successful cuffs.

"In policing you should ever expect the unexpected, but this truly wasn't connected The Bill for this week."

The Bill was broadcast connected ITV betwixt 1984 and 2010 and featured the fictional lives of constabulary officers from the Sun Hill constabulary presumption successful eastbound London.

Mr Stewart, who was among the archetypal cast, appeared successful much than 1,000 episodes arsenic PC Hollis.

In praising Mr Stewart's actions, the unit said: "Long since retired from Sun Hill presumption - but he's inactive got it."

Police from the Bargate Neighbourhoods Policing Team were alerted by unit astatine a Co-op store successful Ocean Way to a suspected shoplifter connected Wednesday.

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Mohamed Diallo, 29, of Anglesea Road, Southampton, was subsequently charged with 5 offences of theft relating to coffee, intoxicant and nutrient from the Co-op and 2 different Sainsbury's stores connected 3 dates successful April and July.

He pleaded blameworthy astatine Southampton Magistrates' Court connected Thursday and was bailed to beryllium sentenced connected August 29.