Thief with hammer stopped by off-duty police officer at Ramsdens in York

A North Yorkshire Police cordon was in place outside Ramsdens, a pawnbroker and currency exchange shop in Market Street, near Superdrug.

It was in place from around 1.15pm - and police officers were on the scene during the afternoon.

Police officers said a suspected jewellery thief was stopped in his tracks by an off-duty police officer in York.

A spokesperson for the force said: "Police were called to a report of a burglary in progress at a shop on Market Street, York at around 10.40am today.

"A man was reported to have smashed a glass panel with a hammer and grabbed jewellery. However, as he made off, he was detained by an off-duty police officer.

"On-duty colleagues arrived a short time later, and he was arrested on suspicion of theft, criminal damage, possessing an offensive weapon in a public place and burglary.

"The 28-year-old suspect remains in custody at this time, and the scene of the incident is being forensically examined."

The scene outside Ramsdens in York (Image: Newsquest)

Anyone with information about the incident who hasn't already spoken to police is asked to contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, quoting reference number: 12220178010.