A brazen trio of would-be motorcycle thieves rode off empty-handed after an off-duty police officer stopped them stealing a motorcycle.
The men struck at lunchtime in the middle of a busy street in Solihull surrounded by shoppers and office workers.
The gang, described as aged between 18 and 22-years-old, wore helmets and rode three abreast into the pedestrianised area next to Marks & Spencer before attempting to swipe a parked red Yamaha.
The bike’s alarm went off and the police officer, who was drinking coffee in a nearby Cafe Nero, raced to stop the thieves.
Police are hunting for a moped gang, pictured, who tried to steal a red Yamaha motorbike from a busy street in Solihull
Eyewitness Katie Earle watched as the drama unfolded.
She said: ‘I was about to walk into Cafe Nero and the three boys on the bike parked up near the red motorbike.
‘One of them jumped off the back of the scooter and tried pulling the red motorbike’s back wheel, which led to the alarm going off.
‘An off duty officer who was having a drink in the cafe ran out and pedestrians near them grabbed them, but they got away.’
The 19-year-old student added: ‘The boy jumped back on the bike and they raced up the High Street through pedestrians to get away.
‘It just shows how vigilant you need to be even in the middle of the day.’
On social media, users alleged one of the men was carrying a hammer but police could not confirm this at the time of going to press.
Ms Earle, who lives in Hillfield, said: ‘I didn’t see the hammer myself butsomeone has said that they did see the driver holding a hammer.
‘They looked quite young and had their faces covered but I would say from their build they could have been from the age of 18 to 22.’
‘People tried to stop them but they managed to get away pretty quickly.
‘One man faced them head on as they raced off but they knocked him over and out of the way.’
On Hillfield & Monkspath Residents Facebook page, Emma Chance said: ‘They passed my office at the other end of the High Street too.
‘Got the number plate but no surprise, it’s fake. Be vigilant people.’
And Lee Gregory said: ‘The driver was carrying a hammer as he passed our office earlier on. Only saw the aftermath so no chance to tackle them.’
A spokesman for West Midlands Police said: ‘All three men were on the same scooter and tried to steal a Yamaha bike.
‘They made off along High Street towards Church Hill Road.’