A police officer has been commended for chasing and catching an armed robber while he was off-duty.

Police Constable Ian Bullimore, from Harrow Police, received the commendation for his actions from assistant commissioner of territorial policing Helen King at New Scotland Yard.

In March 2013 PC Bullimore was in a taxi travelling across London when he saw fellow officers struggling with two men on the ground and stopped the journey to get out and help.

One of the men broke free and without thought the off duty officer chased after the man, who had discarded a number of axes, and managed to tackle home to the ground in Piccadilly Circus.

The suspect was eventfully jailed for seven years for his involvement in a £1 million smash and grab at Selfridges.

PC Bullimore said: “"It was a very proud moment receiving the award, especially in front of my parents, both of whom were Metropolitan Police officers.

“I believe it is something that all of our colleagues in the service would have done when witnessing colleagues on the street requiring assistance."

Harrow Borough Commander Simon Ovens said: "PC Ian Bullimore was off duty at the time, but he acted without any thought for his own safety, to assist in detaining a man believed to be involved in an armed robbery and who posed a significant risk to the public.

“Ian’s quick thinking and action have upheld the core values of the Metropolitan Police Service, for which this officer has shown he is a true ambassador.”