A proud mother has described the moment she and her family hunted down two burglars and helped get them imprisoned for two years.

Claire Ingram and her sister-in-law Kristina Ingram helped police catch burglar brothers Omar Williams, 35, and Michael Craig Shah Williams, 36.

Claire spotted the duo acting suspiciously outside a property near her home in Bridgewood Road, Worcester Park, on August 15 at around 1pm, and called the police on 999.

She teamed up with Kristina to follow the pair – even taking photographs of them and helping to direct police officers as to where they were last seen.

Full-time mum Claire, 29, said: “It was just outside my house. I was sitting on the computer while my son was at school and me and my daughter were looking out the window, as you do, and I noticed these two blokes.

“You know people in your area and [the burglars] looked a bit gaunt in the face.

“I thought I would write down what he was wearing and I rang 999 and made a note there was a strange man hanging around.

“One of them appeared [from an alleyway] carrying plastic bags and a satchel, which he didn’t go down there with, which I thought was extremely odd.”

Her sister-in-law Kristine pulled up in her car and they began taking photographs of the men and saw them start jumping over fences.

When they returned home they discovered a nearby house had been broken into which they reported to the police.

Soon a police search was underway including a dog unit and the police helicopter. Kristina’s two sons, aged 12 and 14, went off to look for the two burglars.

The boys found one of men hiding in bushes in Cuddington Recreation Ground and later found the same man lying in the front garden of a house in Bridgewood Road.

The Police Dog Unit arrested Omar Williams in Bridgewood Road and a laptop, hard drive, mobile phones, cameras and jewellery was found tucked behind a paving slab in a garden in the street.

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Omar Williams and Michael Williams

Michael Williams was arrested the following day at his home address where police recovered clothing matching items worn by one of the burglars.

Claire added: “They just made it so obvious – it was like they weren’t hiding. He was just outside my house smoking.

“I think everyone had a bit of an adrenaline rush – it is not something you are used to.

“Everyone was so happy they got their belongings back. I quite enjoyed it – I wouldn’t mind being one of those community police officers.

“The kids loved it – they were trying to help and it sets them a good example of right and wrong.

“The ID parade was very nerve-wracking. I have never done one before – you are worrying if you are going to get the right person. But it was definitely him – you could spot him a mile off.”

On Monday, November 18, Omar Williams, of Trevelyan Road, London, and Michael Craig Shah Williams, of Linton Close, Mitcham, were sentenced at Croydon Crown Court to two years jail after pleading guilty to burglary.