@c5news: An off-duty police officer filling up her car in Gillingham sprang into action when she saw a knife-carrying shoplifter trying to get past security staff. PC Alice O’Brien said she “did what any of my colleagues would do, which is help members of the public who are in potential danger”. CCTV shows Nicholas Noble loading-up on Solero ice lollies, a Snickers ice cream bar, Mini Milk lollies and bacon before trying to flee the petrol station shop last month. The 45-year-old was confronted by a staff member, who was then assisted by PC O’Brien. ‘When I saw them get violent, I knew I had to step in,” she said. “The staff member and member of the public who assisted were absolute superstars, and I'm so lucky one of them spotted and removed the knife otherwise the incident could have had far more serious consequences.' Miss O’Brien, dressed in janes and sandals, held the thief on the ground until her on-duty colleagues arrived to take over. During the minute-long effort, another member of the public removed a knife from Noble’s waistband. Noble was arrested for shoplifting and possession of an offensive weapon. He pleaded guilty to all charges, and a further count of resisting an officer in their duty, and was sentenced to six months in prison, with a further six added for a separate case.

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Wednesday 01 July 2026 12:53:23 GMT