Police Now Praise Local 'Have a Go' Hero

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 18th Apr 2006

Following complaints over the way Hounslow Police handled the case of John Cann (who was initially detained after he intervened to help a woman being badly beaten by a man; and then told that he should not have got involved), the Police have responded to a complaint by Vincent Cable MP, and now acknowledge that they were initially at fault.

Vincent Cable and Mr Cann have received a letter from Superintendent Phipps who acknowledges that Mr Cann's behaviour was "creditable" and "may have prevented a serious assault on the woman involved".

Vincent Cable said: "I am very pleased that the Police have had a fresh look at the way they handled the case. Their initial response sent all the wrong signals and left the impression that Mr Cann, who sought to rescue a victim of assault, was not better than the assailant. It is to the credit of the Police that they are willing to acknowledge a mistake and put the record straight. Mr Cann has now been fully vindicated."