A hapless burglar got more than he bargained for when he tried his luck in a Watford street.

The man, who was spotted attempting to force open garden gates in Estcourt Road at about 5pm on Sunday evening, suddenly burst into a house and grabbed hold of a wallet – unaware that it belonged to an off-duty police officer.

He and another man then gave chase, bundled the hapless thief to the ground and waited for more police officers to arrive.

Resident Zena Coston said: “This is a very close community and people look out for each other. I don’t think he’ll be burgling around here again.”