Support call for have-a-go heroes

The Mayor played down his own intervention at an incident

Support from the legal establishment for people who intervene when they see a crime being committed should be strengthened, London's mayor has said.

Fear of prosecution may stop people from confronting petty thuggery, said the Mayor, who recently aided a woman being harassed by a group of girls.

They should have the "benefit of the doubt", Boris Johnson told a meeting.

He said it was vital the law was on their side and not on the side of those causing an affray.

My so-called heroism was slightly mitigated by the fact they were girls aged 12 and 14 Boris Johnson

Mr Johnson played down his role in the incident which took place when film-maker Franny Armstrong called for help as he cycled past in Camden last week.

He said: "The thing I did, my so-called heroism, was slightly mitigated by the fact they were girls aged 12 and 14 and I have to put that to one side.

"When people do make a public spirited decision, which is a matter for individual choice, and make a decision to intervene to go to someone and help, it is absolutely vital that the benefit of the doubt and the law should be on their side and not on the side of those causing an affray.

"It is really important as a society that we get that across. It is one of the things that has held people back on occasions when they could be of help and without any excessive risk to themselves."

London Assembly member Tony Arbour told the meeting people who are "good citizens" should not have to face prosecution or the threat of a caution or penalty ticket.

"I very much hope we do not get prosecutions by the police of those good citizens who seek to right wrongs."