A WOULD-be mugger attacked a young mother – flinging the buggy carrying her two-year-old son to the ground. The terrified woman, who was out walking with her boy and four-year-old daughter, was pounced on outside Vicarage Fields health centre, Vicarage Dr

A WOULD-be mugger attacked a young mother - flinging the buggy carrying her two-year-old son to the ground.

The terrified woman, who was out walking with her boy and four-year-old daughter, was pounced on outside Vicarage Fields health centre, Vicarage Drive, Barking.

Her handbag was ripped from the buggy's handle but she was able to save her son from hitting the pavement.

The thief then ran off but was spotted and chased by PCSO Terry Curry.

He radioed for back-up as he ran after the mugger through Barking town centre towards Axe Street on the afternoon of September 16.

His call was answered by another PCSO, Bradley Newton, who was in Axe Street already.

PCSO Newton saw the thief running towards him and tackled him to the ground, keeping him detained until police officers arrived to make the arrest.

The attacker was taken to Barking police station and has since been bailed to return at a later date for further questioning.

Fortunately the mother and her two tots were not hurt and the handbag was not stolen.

A police spokeswoman said: "Had it not been for the quick reactions of the mother, the two-year-old boy could have been seriously injured by this suspect.

"And had it not been for the instinctive reactions of PCSOs Curry and Newton of the Safer Transport Team, the suspect would not have been apprehended."

Inspector John Fortune added: "PCSOs Newton and Curry acted quickly and bravely to detain this suspect.

"Incidents like this one clearly demonstrate the positive role that PCSOs play in public safety and law enforcement.