A CRIME-FIGHTING businessman caught a pair of bag snatchers in the middle of an orienteering race.

By day, Oxted resident Neil Wearing, 42, goes to work as an actuary for Reigate-based firm Watson Wyatt.

However, the father-of-two swapped his keyboard for a cape when two underage criminals ran in front of him while he was competing in the City of London Orienteering Race.

Mr Wearing instinctively pounced on the assailants as they were running off in the direction of the Barbican with a woman's handbag. He sat on them until the police arrived.

He said: "It was particularly unlucky for them to run out in front of me because, before I took up orienteering, I was a keen rugby player who was often chasing down the opposition from behind – nice to know I haven't lost it completely. It was great to have helped the poor lady and my standing with my young daughters has shot up – tackling robbers has made me a bit of a super-hero.

"I know the woman would have been traumatised by the experience, I'm just pleased she got her bag back."

Mr Wearing, who has been orienteering for seven years, sacrificed a top-10 finish by pouncing on the criminals with the help of co-competitor Mike Bennett, 55, of St Albans.

Event organiser Andrew Brown was delighted by the quick-thinking of competitors: "It was great to hear of the brave actions of Neil and Mike.

"So often these days you hear of those who turn a blind eye to street robberies, so for those taking part in a timed race to stop and help someone in distress was fantastic."