A mob of crime fighters chased a Worcester Park thief more than a mile across Kent.

Police said Ryan O'Connor, 21, had travelled from his home in Delcombe Avenue, Worcester Park, to Edenbridge on March 28.

He later told interviewing officers that he and an accomplice had come for "a day out stealing".

When the pair entered the Co-op, in Mont St Aignan Way, a member of staff saw them picking up a TV each and put them under their arms just after 11am.

The staff member continued to watch the pair as they browsed the store.

When they left without paying for the £300 TVs the staff member alerted a security guard.

The first thief ran to the nearby High Street, dumped the TV under a vehicle, got inside and drove away.

Meanwhile, O’Connor tried to get away on foot. The police were called and joined Co-op staff and customers who pursued O’Connor.

He was followed to the outskirts of the town where he was arrested by PC Diane Bell from Kent Police.

She said: "The tenacity and determination of staff from the Co-op, resulted in an arrest of a man who was alleged to have stolen 2 flat screen TVs from the Co-Op, Edenbridge.

"Without their quick thinking, vigilance and persistence this man would have got away. They are to be commended for their decision to go after the male which is something above their job description."

O’Connor was charged with shoplifting and appeared before Sevenoaks Magistrates Court on April 13.

After admitting his crime, O’Connor was fined £260 and ordered to pay £15 victim surcharge and £85 towards prosecution costs.

His partner in crime has still not been found.