POLICE say three men who pounced on a fleeing robber embodied the spirit of the Rat on a Rat campaign.

The men chased and caught the street thief after he assaulted an elderly woman and made off with her purse to help feed his suspected heroin habit.

The Northern Echo last week joined forces with police in Chester-le-Street and Durham Agency Against Crime to launch the Rat on a Rat campaign that aims to encourage people to expose dealers.

In yesterday's incident, the 67-year-old woman was assaulted by a man believed to be a heroin addict. He was spotted by a motorist who stopped his car, ran after the thief and, after being joined in the pursuit by two other men, wrestled the thief to the ground.

Following the incident, in Ouston, near Chester-le-Street, the robber was held until police arrived minutes later.

Detective Inspector Andy Reddick, who launched the campaign, said: "These men took positive action to protect their community, which is exactly what we want people to do. We are asking people to do something about the drug problems in their community, and in their own way these men set an example."

The victim had just cashed her giro cheque at Ouston Post Office when she was set upon by the 20-year-old attacker.

He punched her, knocked her to the floor, then stole her purse and ran away up Front Street. He was spotted by a passing motorist who had his wife and child in the car.

He stopped the car, ran after the man and was joined by two other men before overpowering him and keeping him there until the police arrived.

The suspect was taken to Durham police station where he was being questioned by officers yesterday afternoon