A mugger who allegedly robbed a pensioner in central London was halted in his tracks by a woman who punched him in the face, according to a bystander.
A man was arrested on suspicion of robbery by police in Sloane Square, Kensington, at about 12.30pm after an elderly man was targeted outside the Peter Jones shop.
Witnesses described the dramatic moment a female shopper punched the man in the face in order to stop him.
A second woman, who was carrying a young child, then helped to corner him along with two workmen, according to reports.
Dominic Shelmerdine, a 54-year-old author who lives in nearby Sloane Avenue, said he was "shocked" by the incident but "glad" the woman had punched the man.
Describing the dramatic moment, he told the Standard: "I was walking past to go and eat a late breakfast. I saw this woman screaming and she punched him.
"Unfortunately for him, he ran into another woman who was carrying a child.
"I am very glad [the first woman] gave him a good punch. I saw him sitting in the road looking sorry for himself afterwards. Afterwards she went up to him and said 'You got what you deserved'. Two workmen came to help stop him from running away."
He continued: "People were getting out of their Chelsea tractors and were getting spontaneously interested. There were loads of police. It all unfolded rather dramatically."
"I was shocked but I was more shocked that the two women got involved because they normally wouldn't involve themselves in that sort of thing."
A spokesman for Scotland Yard confirmed officers were called to the scene at 12.24pm and arrested a man on suspicion of robbery at 12.39.
He added the victim had not yet made contact with police.
