‘I’m an ordinary guy… but I had to get involved’
William Bishop describes himself as an ‘everyday guy’, but when he was confronted with a shoplifter, he proved himself anything but. In fact, he proved himself a hero twice over…
When William heard a woman screaming in a branch of Boots, he sprang into action. He pursued his target until eventually he’d caught up with him under a subway.
Having wrenched the bag from the thief, events took a violent turn. The cornered crook hit out at William with what he thought was a knife.
It later turned out not to be a knife but, even so, the plucky young man refused to let go of the bag.
William, 20, from Hednesford, Staffordshire, headed back to Boots to return the stolen items, which included several designer perfumes.
With the information William gave to the police, they successfully made an arrest. Then came the news that William was to receive one of the first-ever Mattel Fireman Sam Golden Helmet Awards for his bravery.
At the time, William downplayed his intervention, saying, ‘I don’t like seeing people steal. It’s not fair to the people who work hard.’
William’s mum Kerrie, 51, said, ‘I was so proud of him.’
Having travelled to London for the ceremony, William – who took Kerrie with him – headed to Euston Station for the journey home.
‘I was waiting for our train, and William went to stretch his legs,’ Kerrie said. ‘Imagine my shock when he turned up all red in the face. He’d only gone and done it again!’
William had been browsing in the station shops when he heard an alarm. That’s when he noticed a man running with a bag.
‘My gut instinct told me to chase him,’ William said.
The pursuit took them out into the busy streets of London. The thief kicked out and tried to punch him, but William wasn’t giving up.
When the thief finally ran off, William headed back to the train station to return the stolen goods – which turned out to be shoe insoles.
‘Lightning could have struck twice!’ Kerrie said. ‘Two security guards came over and asked if they could shake William’s hand.
‘ When they inquired why we were in London, you can imagine their faces when we told them we had just come from an award ceremony that had honoured William for doing the same thing!’
William currently works for a recycling company, but he’s now interested in pursuing a career in the police.