Robin King, assistant manager of the market hall Picture Ref: 76927-12SHOPPERS had a lucky escape after two boys hurled bricks from the top of a multi-storey car park in Swindon.

A good samaritan chased the pair and managed to hang onto them until police arrived.

But he is annoyed that the youths were only given a "ticking off" by officers.

The boys were on the 60ft-high Brunel West car park throwing bricks and other debris from the top at about 5.30pm on Saturday.

Robin King, assistant manager of the nearby Swindon Market Hall, challenged the boys.

He caught them and detained them for one and a half hours until police arrived.

Mr King expected to be thanked after catching the lads aged 10 and 12 playing their dangerous game. But instead, he was told he should have let them free as soon as he had got their names and addresses.

"I couldn't believe it," said Mr King.

"Someone could have been killed. One brick landed a few feet from a passer-by. The chances are that it would have killed him from that height."

After a short chase, Mr King caught up with the pair outside House of Fraser. He then marched them back to his office in the market hall where they were kept until police got there.

"I was told that I shouldn't have kept them there," said Mr King. "But what was I supposed to do? I thought I was doing the police a favour."

Three years ago, a man and his young child had a narrow escape death when a breezeblock, thrown from the top of the car park, landed on the bonnet of a car.

Bernie Maguire, town centre manager, said incidents of this seriousness are rare but urged people to be on the look-out.

"We usually get problems with youngsters throwing water bombs of the top when the weather's hot," he said.

"This is worrying someone could have been seriously hurt."

Alvina Kumar, spokeswoman for Swindon police, said: "Two young lads were reported as throwing stones from multi-storey car-park on Saturday.

"They were detained by a member of the public until police arrival.

"The boys were taken to their respective homes and strongly advised regarding their behaviour in the presence of their

parents. Fortunately, on this occasion, there was no damage or injury caused. However, this does not detract from the seriousness of the incident.

"Throwing missiles is not only irresponsible but dangerous.

"We would advise youngsters that such actions can lead to serious consequences and would encourage parents to enforce this message."

Crime file

IN November, thugs were spotted throwing stones at cars from a bridge in Thamesdown Drive.

As we reported at the time, police feared it was only a matter of time before someone was killed.

In the most serious incident, a child seat was covered in broken glass. Luckily the seat was empty.

Police say no further incidents have been reported. No arrests have been made.

Kevin Shoesmith