Jamie Oliver has been hailed a hero by grateful neighbours after chasing a would-be thief down the street and tackling him to the ground.
The celebrity chef caught the "aggressive" burglar trying to break into his North London home on Tuesday evening (local time), the Mirror reports.
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Other properties on the street in Highgate were reportedly also targeted by the offender, including that of supermodel Kate Moss.
But he was spotted by Oliver as he tried to break his way into the chef's £8.9 million (NZ$17.6 million) eight-bedroom mansion. The 30 Minute Meals host was at home during the attempted break-in, along with his wife Jools and five children - Poppy, 16, Daisy, 15, Petal, nine, Buddy, seven, and two-year-old River .
One impressed neighbour told the newspaper that Oliver "leapt into action", calling it a "brave, selfless thing to do".
"As well as protecting his family, he is very community-spirited and cares just as much for the welfare of his neighbours as well."
Another neighbour said that "despite the clearly very hairy situation, Jamie was laughing and joking with the coppers, saying they'd done a great job to arrive so quickly after the 999 call.
"Everyone is really thankful for his quick thinking and courage."
A spokesman for local police confirmed to the Mirror that an "aggressive male" was caught trying to break into residential address on Tuesday evening.
"The male was apprehended by members of the public and was subsequently detained by police.
"He was taken to a North London police station where he remains at this time. Officers from Central North Command Unit are investigating."
Newshub.
