A CRIME-FIGHTING councillor foiled a thief as he tried to steal from a woman at a cashpoint.

James Cottis, who is a district councillor in Rochford, was in London’s Leicester Square when he saw a man snatch a credit card and some cash from two elderly women who were using the cashpoint.

However, quick-thinking James foiled the robbery by grabbing the crook and throwing him to the ground. He jumped on the would-be thief and detained him, so he could grab the cash and card back.

The robber then managed to wrestle free and ran off.

Mr Cottis, 29, didn’t even have time to change into his superhero costume.

He said: “I was on my way to a drinks reception and I was all suited and booted.

“I walked by the cashpoint and saw it happen in a split second. I grabbed on to the back of his collar and threw him to the ground.

“When he got off the ground he said something about me assaulting him and I said ‘well shall we call the police then?’ and he ran off.

“It was all over in about five minutes.

“I wasn’t hurt or anything. I was just very wet from rolling around on the ground.”

Mr Cottis said people should be extra careful while drawing out money at cashpoints or doing their Christmas shopping. He encouraged people to stand up to thieves.

He said: “I think people need to be aware over Christmas and new year, thieves will be hanging around cashpoints when people are doing their Christmas shopping. Members of the public should be encouraged to tackle thieves.”