THREE members of the public who intervened when they saw crimes being committed in Suffolk have been presented with certificates recognising their bravery.

Michael Graver, Joseph Mullett and Neil Sharman were presented with certificates of commendation by Andrew Norman-Butler , High Sheriff of Suffolk for 2012/13 at a ceremony at Ipswich Crown Court.

Mr Graver, 71, was shopping in Bury St Edmunds with his wife in February 2012 when he came across a robbery at Thurlow Champness jewellers in Abbeygate Street.

After trying to block the exit of one of the raiders Mr Graver, who lives near Bury St Edmunds, grabbed hold of a bag containing valuable watches stolen during the raid and was able to hand it to police officers when they arrived on the scene.

In June 2011 off-duty policeman Joseph Mullett was shopping in Ipswich town centre when he realised a robbery was taking place at Goldsmiths jewellers in Tavern Street. He ran towards two getaway motor bikes with the intention of knocking one of the riders off or detaining one of them and was told to back off.

As Mr Mullett got near the bikes the riders sped past him and then turned back towards him with one of them riding directly at him.

Five members of a gang involved in a conspiracy to commit robbery at the two jewellers were jailed at Ipswich Crown Court last year.

Meanwhile Neil Sharman, who lives near Ipswich went to the aid of a 68-year-old woman who was parking her car in Cromwell Square, Ipswich in February 2012 when a man got into the vehicle through the passenger door.

He demanded the car keys and tried to push the woman out of the vehicle. He was chased and restrained by Mr Sharman, who had been waking nearby with his wife, until police arrived and was sentenced at Ipswich Crown Court last year.