WATCH THE VIDEO: Real PCSO intervenes in shoplifting stunt

Lee Nelson was restrained by a police community support officer after a stunt to promote his new stand-up DVD got out of hand.

The comic creation of Simon Brodkin pretended to shoplift one his discs at a signing at HMV in Oxford Street last night.

He was chased around the store by an actor pretending to be a policeman... but the stunt spilled out into the busy street outside where a real PCSO spotted them and joined the pursuit. All three ended up grappling on the ground until leading Brodkin back into the store.

The comic issued a statement in character, saying: ‘How can you get arrested for nicking your own DVD?  Mr Loophole lawyer, if you’re reading this, get me off and I’ll sort you out with the 20 other DVDs I took.’

A spokeswoman for Brodkin said: ‘Somehow they ended up out on the pavement, where a real Police Community Support Officer got involved, thinking it was a theft taking place. Shoppers were looking on and buses were stopping, it was all very dramatic’

Once inside the store, the PCSO was let in on the fact it was a publicity stunt – which certainly seems to have achieved its aim. An HMV spokesman said: ‘He was a really good sport and was fine after we explained.’

Here's the footage:

Published: 22 Nov 2012