A POLICE officer who chased a burglar in a Wild West-style chase through the streets of Lewisham has been commended for his bravery.

PC Andrew Hill gave chase on his trusty steed Horatio when he heard the cries of a woman who had her home in Dermody Road, Lewisham, broken into.

Spotting the culprit, PC Hill, of the Met Police’s Mounted Branch, galloped through the streets in hot pursuit.

When the burglar slipped through a gate, the officer left Horatio nibbling on a bush and continued the chase on foot.

During the chase two builders, brothers Jeffrey and Alan Brown, helped the officer catch and restrain the man.

In the midst of the struggle, PC Hill noticed the crook clinging onto a pouch.

He prised it from the man’s grip and opened it up to discover a black handgun inside.

PC Hill, who is based at Lewisham stables, has now been commended for his courage and dedication to duty in the incident last September which led to the burglar’s arrest and conviction.

Alan and Jeffrey Brown each received their commendation for responding to and helping the officer and providing evidence in court.

The burglar was jailed for three years for aggravated burglary and possession of an imitation firearm.

Inspector Danny Butler, of Lewisham Mounted Branch, said: "This was a first-class piece of police work from a lone mounted officer who was afforded brave assistance by two exceptional members of the public."