SHOPPERS didn t hesitate when they saw someone attempting to rob a security guard outside a bank. With no thought for their own safety, four passers-by overpowered a man and held him until the police arrived. The guard was outside HSBC in High Street, Hor

SHOPPERS didn't hesitate when they saw someone attempting to rob a security guard outside a bank.

With no thought for their own safety, four passers-by overpowered a man and held him until the police arrived.

The guard was outside HSBC in High Street, Hornchurch on Tuesday, at around 3pm, when the drama unfolded.

One of the four involved called the Recorder with reports of what had happened just hours after the incident.

The man, who did not want to be identified, told the Recorder of how he had just come out of the newsagent when he saw a man struggling with the security guard.

He said: "There was already a another man on the scene, trying to help the security guy, but I do not know what came over me because I just jumped in and grabbed the man trying to get the box from the security man.

"The only thing I was thinking about was helping the security man and the other man who was doing such a wonderful job."

He added: "It did not cross my mind the man could have been carrying a knife, it was just an instant reaction."

Minutes later two other members of the public joined in and had managed to pin the man on the floor.

An off duty police officer also arrived on the scene and took control of the situation until the police arrived.

He said: "When the police came along, they just told us all to stand back and they took the names of all of those involved.

"If it had not been for us then the man would have got away, another robbery might have even taken place or someone could have got hurt."

A man has appeared at Havering Magistrates' Court charged with attempted robbery.