A MALVERN policeman was commended this week for his bravery after catching a burglar earlier this year.

Sergeant Andy Woolhouse, who lives in Malvern but works out of Hereford Police Station, was off-duty on May 7 when he heard an alarm sound at a Londis store in Yates Hay Road, Upper Howsell.

He went to investigate and noticed an internal light was on when he looked through a window. He realised something was not quite right and then saw a man walking out of a garden near to the attached premises.

Sgt Woolhouse called out to him but he ran off. After calling the local police, he gave chase and eventually found the man. Sgt Woolhouse apprehended him and arrested him on suspicion of burglary. The man was later charged.

After receiving his commendation from Divisional Commander Chief Superintendent Guy Rutter during a surprise ceremony at Hereford Police Station on Tuesday night, Sgt Woolhouse was being modest about the honour.

He said: "It's down to the community of Malvern because there was assistance from members of the public in this as well. It wasn't an individual effort."