A WOMAN who was mugged while looking for a new house in Wanstead has praised the “amazing” community spirit shown by a group of other shoppers who came to her aid.

Breffni Winwood, from Chingford, had her briefcase snatched as she and her partner made their way down Grosvenor Road after visiting estate agents in Wanstead High Street.

But to her surprise - and gratitude - a restaurant manager, a driving instructor, a bus passenger and other onlookers all rushed to her aid, chasing the man through the streets of Wanstead and retrieving her stolen possessions in the process.

They also helped police arrest a suspect just a few minutes later in Leytonstone.

Ms Winwood, 54, said the experience had made her want to move to Wanstead even more.

She said: “The people of Wanstead were absolutely fantastic.

“It all started when this man just came up behind us and snatched my briefcase from my hands. There was a driving instructor in a car on the street and he saw it happen. Straight away he began chasing after him.”

Manager of nearby restaurant Seasons, Kevin Baker, who was on a break at the time, saw the commotion.

He said: “When I found out what happened I just ran after him.”

A game of cat-and-mouse then ensued, as the thief dashed down an alleyway, back along the road and then into some nearby back gardens - dropping Ms Winwood’s bag but still holding on to her wallet and keys.

Mr Baker said: “The driving instructor said the guy might come out by Somerfield, so I ran up and sure enough there he was.

“At first I followed him for a bit, but then I went up to him and said ‘keep the money but give me the car keys’.

“But he just mumbled and carried on walking. I think he might have been on drugs.”

With police sirens wailing in the distance, Mr Baker stayed with the man as he walked calmly towards Leytonstone.

Luckily, as they walked, a bus pulled up alongside them.

“I just grabbed the nearest man and asked to use his phone,” said Mr Baker.

“I phoned 999 and told them where we were - and the man from the bus walked with us until the police arrived.”

But a modest Mr Baker has shrugged off suggestions he was a hero.

He said: “I just had to act because it’s annoying that people get away with so much these days.”