A QUICK-thinking shopper has been praised for his bravery after helping stop a thief getting away from a raid on a Hampshire jewellers.

Two rings worth nearly £6,500 were stolen from the family-run shop in the heist, but as the two men attempted to run off a passer-by grabbed one and wrestled him back into the store.

Police and the shop owners have praised the Good Samaritan for his actions.

New Milton was busy with weekend shoppers when the raid happened, shortly before 1pm on Saturday.

A man walked into Robert Alan jewellers, pictured, in Station Road and asked about some rings in the window.

When a staff member took them out of the display cabinet, the man, who appeared to be talking to someone who had stayed outside the shop, grabbed them and ran off, only to be stopped by a passerby.

Despite a struggle, he was held until police arrived.

The second man fled, jumping into a four-door black saloon car, thought to be a Vauxhall, and speeding off in the direction of Bashley.

Two rings – the first 18-carat white gold encrusted with a 1.1 carat diamond worth £3,899, the other a £2,550 twocarat diamond set in platinum – were taken during the raid.

Police are now hunting the accomplice, described as white, around 25 years old, 5ft 9in of medium build and with short dark brown hair.

PC Nathan King, from New Milton police station, said: “Thanks to the quick actions of a member of the public one man has now been arrested but we still urgently need to trace his accomplice.

A spokesman for Robert Alan thanked the passers-by who “showed no hesitation in helping while he struggled so violently to get away”.

A 28-year-old man from Salisbury was arrested on suspicion of robbery and has now been released on police bail until December 15.

Anyone with information should call PC King on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.