COMETH the hour, cometh the man. The pages of history are peppered with examples of time colluding with destiny, and while Peter Shaw may not be in exactly the same league as Drake or Wellington, his act of bravery and disregard of danger is nevertheless quite remarkable.

For the 6ft 5ins council worker was certainly in the right place at the right time when he came upon an elderly woman being robbed at a cash point in Worcester's High Street. Without further ado, he rugby-tackled the alleged miscreant and passers-by called the police. A piquant touch of Ealing comedy was added by the victim's companion, who proceeded to beat the hapless felon with her handbag, a course of action that would certainly have met with the approval of the late Dame Margaret Rutherford.

Mr Shaw is no stranger to saving the day. Two years ago, he was commended by Hereford Police after he grabbed hold of a man who was in the process of throwing himself from a building. Once again, our gentle giant was in the right place to alter the course of events.

While commending the actions of people like Mr Shaw, the Worcester News would sound a note of caution about such selfless acts. In this age of gun crime, members of the public should remember to exercise sound judgement and perhaps restraint if they chance upon criminality.

But today this newspaper congratulates Peter Shaw for his humanity and disdain for personal safety. He changed the course of fate and we therefore salute him.