Vicar made thief kneel until police arrived

Father Andrew Cain, the vicar of St James' Church in West Hampstead, London, confronted the crook after hearing assistant curate Christine Cargill let out a shriek.

Father Cain rushed to find out what had happened and came face-to-face with burglar Eric McDougall - who had stolen £150 in collection money and an iPhone - as he tried to run off.

But rather than let the 54-year-old thief escape, Father Cain stood firmly in front of him barring his way and ordered him to: "Kneel down on the floor'.

Speaking this week about the 11am raid on February 22, Father Cain, 44, said: "I heard Christine cry out and I saw this figure and was worried he might have done something to her."

He added: "I just stood in front of him and told him to kneel on the floor - luckily he was quite obliging. . . ."