Video: Hornchurch robbery caught on CCTV before onlooker saves day

This shocking CCTV footage shows a brutal lunchtime robbery in Hornchurch town centre – before a have a go hero came to the rescue.

Cameras from the Vertigo Lounge in Station Lane caught the savage attack, which happened outside the venue on Saturday.

A man in his 30s was dragged to the ground by two thugs who punched him repeatedly and ran off in different directions having robbed his bag.

But they didn’t get far with it, thanks to an unknown man who watched the attack unfold from his BMW and decided to take matters into his own hands.

He drove after the man with the bag, grabbed him and got it back, before returning it to the owner and driving off.

Despite his intervention, both men, described as white and aged about 40, made off from the scene. One is described as having collar length dark hair and some acne scarring on his face.

Vertigo Lounge manager Sam Scott, who saw the attack, said: “He [the victim] came back and said some guy had swung round in a BMW and got it for him. Then the guy in the BMW came round beeped his horn said ‘see you later mate’ and just drove off.

“So he came in and we got CCTV for him. Police were there for about two hours.”

Detectives from Havering Criminal Investigations Department (CID) are now appealing for witnesses to the robbery, including the man who intervened, to come forward.

They also wish to speak to anyone who witnessed anything suspicious in the area on Saturday lunchtime.

Anyone with information should call Havering CID via 101 or to remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.