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The passers-by leapt into action when they saw someone trying to steal a charity box near Ruby's Tea Room, in Elm Grove, at 4pm on Tuesday.

Police said a man was later arrested after he was detained at the scene by an off-duty constable and members of the public.

The arrest comes after at least four firms were targeted in a spate of break-ins over the weekend in which seven charity boxes were stolen.

Elm Grove, on Hayling Island, close to where a suspect was chased down by passers-by on Tuesday. Picture: Google Street View

Four Hayling Island businesses broken into as yobs make off with charity boxes a...

Hayling Island Bookshop, Vets4Pets, West Town Service Wash and Wilson Wakefield Solicitors all had their doors or windows smashed.

Colin Telford, the Mengham Road book store’s events manager, said the raider 'could've bled to death' after clambering through broken glass to make off with a charity box for the Hayling island Community First Responders.

On Tuesday’s arrest, a police spokeswoman said: ‘The 21-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of theft and has been released under investigation. Enquiries are ongoing at this time.'

Man arrested after Hayling Island shoppers and off-duty police officer chase charity box thief

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