Caught in the act

Plymouth postman of 24 years, David Halligan, has been hailed a hero for helping to catch a prolific burglar, who after raiding a family home, was trying to escape with an accomplice.

‘I was delivering the mail on my usual delivery route and had just returned to my van to pick up my second loop,’ said Dave. ‘I was stood sorting out my bags when I heard an alarm from a nearby house going off.

‘When I looked across the road, I saw two individuals jumping over the wall of the property they had just burgled. My instincts told me to follow them, and when two of the neighbours appeared, I told the first to ring the police, while the other joined me to give chase.

‘We managed to restrain one of the burglars, while the other ran off. A member of the public followed the runaway burglar in her vehicle and managed to take a photo of him. Police then attended and made an arrest. They found a watch on the man we caught worth £2,000!’

When the burglar Dave helped catch was sentenced at Plymouth Crown Court, Recorder Malcolm Galloway said: ‘You and another man were seen by a postman jumping over a wall with an alarm sounding. In the best traditions of the postal service, he alerted neighbours and they chased and restrained you.’

‘The disappointing outcome of all this was there was still £11,000 worth of jewellery that went unrecovered,’ said Dave. ‘But overall, the victims of the burglary were happy with the sentencing. I’m told the police were also very happy as it was a great team effort in the community with good results. I’m just happy I was in the right place at the right time.’

Plymouth delivery office manager, Paul Davies, said: ‘Dave is an extremely popular and well-liked member of the team. He’s a very hardworking employee, who prides himself on doing a great job. He’s a credit both to our office and the business.’