Police apology to Crowborough burglary victim

Sussex Police has revoked a caution against a Crowborough restaurant owner who foiled a burglary.

Sal Miah chased and captured two teenage boys after an attempted break-in at his busy restaurant, Rajpoot, only for police to turn up and arrest him.

Police officers arrived and spoke to those on the scene, but then arrested Mr Miah for assault in front of his customers and took him to Uckfield Police Station where they cautioned him for assault and took his mug shot, fingerprints and DNA.

Today Sussex Police made a U-turn and revoked the caution.

When the Courier broke the news last week, the force defended its officers' actions, stating: "Anyone who catches intruders in the act should dial 999, observe at a safe distance and wait for police to arrive."

But this afternoon Wealden District commander Chief Inspector Julia Pope said she had personally apologised to Mr Miah after reviewing the incident.

She said: "Two incidents at the restaurant - the assault and burglary - were wrongly dealt with in isolation.

"They have been reviewed and it is believed that the man arrested had used reasonable force at the time.

"It was right for us to investigate the incident but, given all the circumstances, it was incorrect to caution him as he had used reasonable force."

Ch Insp Pope insisted Sussex Police was "firmly on the side of victims of crime".

"Anyone can make a citizen's arrest. Mr Miah did just this and used force in order to protect his property and himself.

"It was unfortunate that on this occasion there was misunderstanding and the burglary and the assault were dealt with in isolation."

A 13 year old boy from Crowborough appeared before Lewes Youth Court last Thursday charged with burglary with intent and has been bailed to appear before Brighton Youth Court on 19 May.