Middlesbrough Council Neighbourhood Safety Wardens have been praised as heroes after confronting a knife-wielding man in the town centre.
The incident, captured on CCTV, occurred on Monday, September 15, when wardens responded to reports of a man brandishing knives on Corporation Road.
After ensuring the public was safe, the wardens were chased by the individual and took refuge in a nearby business while calling for back-up.
Three additional wardens arrived, and when the man attempted to enter a nearby arcade, he was restrained until police arrived.
The same 42-year-old later caused significant criminal damage to Middlesbrough Council’s Customer Centre and was subsequently jailed for 16 weeks for possession of a bladed article and other offences.
Mayor Chris Cooke praised the wardens, saying: 'Their first thought was to protect the public. Their professionalism and commitment is a credit to them and to the town as a whole.'