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Scotland Yard performs u-turn after initially casting doubt on claims that Tom Hardy chased down moped thief

Road fury: Mad Max star Tom Hardy reportedly sprinted after a thief and searched him for weapons before declaring, 'I caught the c---!' - AP
Road fury: Mad Max star Tom Hardy reportedly sprinted after a thief and searched him for weapons before declaring, 'I caught the c---!' - AP

Scotland Yard has performed an embarrassing u-turn after initially casting doubt on claims that Hollywood actor, Tom Hardy had chased down a thief in London.

It had been reported that the film star who has appeared in a string of Hollywood blockbusters, including The Revenant and The Dark Knight Rises had apprehended a suspect after chasing him from the scene of a crash.

According to The Sun newspaper witnesses saw the actor vaulting over walls and running through gardens as he chased the thief before catching him and declaring: "I caught the c---."

Tom Hardy, left, in Warrior
Acting on instinct: Tom Hardy, left, in Warrior

But doubt was cast on the veracity of the story when Scotland Yard issued a statement insisting there was "no pursuit".

Sources also said they were unaware of the involvement of any members of the public in the arrest.

In it's initial statement a Scotland Yard spokesman said: "Officers happened to be present at the time of the collision. This was not a pursuit.

"The male motorcyclist was arrested on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle and the male pillion passenger was arrested for taking a vehicle without consent.

"As both males sustained injures and the London Ambulance Service was called. The motorcyclist and pillion passenger were taken to a south London hospital for treatment to injuries not thought to be life threatening or life changing."

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A spokesman for the star declined to comment, leading to suggestions that the reports were not true.

But several hours after issuing the original statement, Scotland Yard admitted that a member of the public had assisted in the arrest of the pillion passenger.

 

Tom Hardy, as Bane, battles Batman in the Dark Knight Rises - Credit: Rex
Bane of moped thieves: Tom Hardy battles Batman - aka Christian Bale - in the Dark Knight Rises Credit: Rex

In a fresh statement, a spokesman said: "At 12:34hrs on Sunday, 23 April a motorcycle was in collision with a car in Sheen Road, Richmond.

"Officers were not pursuing the motorcycle, but happened to be present at the location at the time of the collision.

"Two 16-year-old boys immediately made off from the scene. The pillion passenger was detained by police a short distance away and was arrested on suspicion of taking a vehicle without consent and allowing to be carried.

"The rider of the motorcycle was detained by a member of the public in Church Road and then arrested by officers on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle and being disqualified from driving."

"Both teenagers sustained injures as result of the collision and the London Ambulance Service was called.

"They were initially taken to a south London hospital for treatment and then taken into custody at a west London police station."

The statement went on: "Two teenagers arrested on suspicion of theft - related motor vehicle offences in Richmond have been released under investigation."

A Scotland Yard spokesman said the initial statement had been issued based on the information available at the time, but after speaking to the officer in charge of the case further information had come to light.

 

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