A HAVE-a-go hero tried to stop a gang of thieves by throwing himself onto the bonnet of their getaway car on Saturday last week.

The 55-year-old had been loading his shopping into his car when he heard an alarm go off and saw a number of men running out of Homebase in Crown Road, Ruislip at 8.15pm.

Believing they had been involved in a crime he ran after them, but the men jumped in their car and drove at him. Instead of jumping aside, the brave shopper jumped onto the bonnet.

The driver sped up, zig-zagging wildly around the car park in an attempt to dislodge the unwanted passenger, but with little success. Only as the car headed down the slip road towards Victoria Road did the man fear for his safety and throw himself off.

While the thieves escaped he was taken to Hillingdon Hospital with a deep gash to his head, a grazed left knee, arm and neck pains and shock.

It was later confirmed that the men had stolen some power tools. The getaway vehicle was a Ford Hatchback with pink trim at the bottom.

Crime Prevention Officer PC Bob Williams said: "While I applaud his courage, it's better to step back rather than put yourself at risk. Desperate criminals will take desperate steps to get away.

"Every policeman jumps in without thinking sooner or later in their career and afterwards they think, oh blimey! But members of the public are not trained to."

Information to 8246 1522.