An off-duty police officer and a shopkeeper helped catch three people and recover £5,000 after a raid on a convenience store last week.

Pound Lane Convenience Store, in Pound Lane, Epsom, was robbed at 3pm last Thursday, August 29, as its owner was cashing up for the day.

A spokesman for Surrey Police said a man grabbed a bag of cash and coins, worth £5,000, which was on the counter, and ran out of the store before making off from the scene on foot.

Eyewitnesses told the Epsom Guardian that the shopkeeper gave chase, assisted by an off-duty policeman.

A man was arrested nearby and police also stopped a car in Manor Green Road, a few hundred metres away, and arrested its two occupants.

The money has since been recovered.

An eyewitness said once the cash had been stolen a chase ensued between the shopkeeper and robber while the off-duty policeman called for back-up.

The owner of a shop opposite said he also saw "the gentleman who owns the convenience store chasing a guy up Lower Court Road".

He added: "I was told by the owner that there was an off-duty policeman who helped.

"The guy was caught in the garden of the home of the owner of Sandie's Flowers [on Pound Lane]."

Employees at nearby Empower Electrical Services, said "there’s always something going on down here".

One added: "People think it’s quiet so minor incidents do happen - graffiti, anti-social behaviour, young people gathering."

Anyone with information about the incident should call the police on 101, quoting reference EP/13/3650, or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

A 26-year-old man, from Ashford, was arrested on suspicion of theft, and has been released on police bail until September.

A 24-year-old man from Epsom and a 23-year-old woman, were both arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit theft. Kirsty Robertson, 23, of Lewis Road, in Mitcham, was later charged with a number of driving offences and is due to appear at South East Surrey Magistrates’ Court later this month. The man has been released on police bail until October.