TWO men who disarmed a thief with a knife after he had robbed a woman in Lidl’s car park in Bordon have been nominated for a chief constable’s commendation for bravery.

The commendation rewards the courageous actions of Nathan Jones and Terry Bicknell.

On July 1, a 56-year-old woman was placing items in her car when Ashley Austin approached her from behind and began tugging at her handbag, which was over her left shoulder.

He had a knife aand used it to cut the strap away from her shoulder.

As she turned around, she saw the suspect run off with her handbag and started to scream to attract attention before chasing the suspect.

Austin ran into a dead end and the victim caught up with him and grabbed her bag which started a tug of war as the suspect wouldn’t let go.

Mr Jones witnessed the suspect approach the woman and take her handbag and saw the victim chase him. He immediately dropped his shopping bags and ran toward the thief.

Mr Bicknell heard the woman shouting for help and saw her running after the suspect. He saw the direction in which the thief was running and approached him. When he caught up with the thief, who had his back to Mr Bicknell, the pursuer was able to launch himself at the thief, grabbing him and taking him to the floor.

Almost immediately, Mr Jones caught up with them and pinned the robber’s legs to the floor. Mr Jones then noted that the suspect had a long, black-handled kitchen knife in one of his hands. He took this knife from him and moved it out of the way.

The robber was abusive toward both men throughout, but both men restrained the suspect until the police arrived.

At the end of August, Austin, 35, from Bordon, was sentenced to 56 months in prison for robbery and 20 months to run concurrently for possession of a knife, after he pleased guilty to both offences.

Austin is well known to police as he was only released from prison on June 23. He has been previously convicted for knifepoint robbery.

Mr Bicknell and Mr Jones are to be invited to Hampshire police’s training headquarters in Netley to receive their commendations, when they will be presented with a certificate and a handshake from the Chief Constable Olivia Pinkney.