AN INTERNAL investigation has been launched after an off-duty police officer who bravely tackled four shoplifters waited almost two hours for back-up.

By the time uniformed colleagues arrived at the Co-op Late Shop, in Tang Hall Lane, York, the gang had escaped and PC Alistair Kennan had suffered serious bruising in a violent attack.

A police chief said today that fellow officers had been unable to get there any sooner because resources were stretched to the limit by two major sporting events.

The incident happened as the officer was making his way home from a shift policing the last race meeting of the year at York Racecourse on Saturday, October 11.

Customers and staff were trapped in the store, situated at the junction of Tang Hall Lane and Lang Avenue, when the officer confronted the group as they tried to steal cases of lager at 7pm.

Supermarket shopping baskets and fruit were thrown at him as he attempted to detain them.

A witness said the officer called the York Police control room on his mobile phone to get urgent help, but an operator told him none was available. Uniformed police officers eventually arrived at 9pm.

Chief Superintendent John Lacy said today that the packed race meeting, combined with England's soccer clash with Turkey that evening, had stretched police resources to the limit.

But he paid tribute to the actions of his officer. He said: "I'm very proud that my officer, who was prepared to tackle disorder in a convenience store on his way home.

"It was just unfortunate that the sheer demands on us that night, dealing with large numbers at the race meeting and the England-Turkey match, meant that we just didn't have any officers available."

PC Kennan said he could not comment on the incident as an internal investigation was taking place. He said detectives at York CID were actively investigating the crime.

A spokesman for United Co-op said no one else was injured in the incident, but staff members were "upset". He said CCTV footage had been handed over to the police for examination.

Bob Humpleby, of the Police Federation, said he was concerned that an incident like this could take place and urged senior officers to undertake proper risk assessments. But he added that "one off situations are difficult to deal with".

York Police are urging witnesses to the attack to come forward. If you were at the shop, phonel York Police on 01904 631321 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Updated: 10:37 Friday, November 21, 2003