DETECTIVES have praised the bravery of a Neighbourhood Watch member who filmed a pair of burglary conspirators on his mobile phone.

The man narrowly escaped injury when a vehicle containing Bradford villains David Hindle and Carl Armitage reversed at him.

Hindle, 35, of Lordsfield Place, Tong Street, was jailed for four and a half years, and Armitage, 24, of Institute Road, Eccleshill, was given a four-year jail sentence at Leeds Crown Court this week after they pleaded guilty to conspiracy to burgle.

They were among four Bradford men jailed for their roles in a burglary gang targeting Asian families for jewellery.

Police have now released the mobile phone images the Neighbourhood Watch member took of the pair.

Detective Constable Iain Campbell, from Bradford District Police, said: "I would like to pay tribute to the Neighbourhood Watch member who saw Hindle and Armitage acting suspiciously, in Burniston Drive, Huddersfield, in July 2012, and filmed the men on his mobile phone.

"When the men realised they were being filmed they reversed their vehicle towards the witness, narrowly missing him and colliding with a telegraph pole.

"The brave actions of the witness clearly prevented another victim of burglary and I would like to publicly acknowledge our gratitude for their help."

The pair later admitted to handling stolen goods as the car they were filmed driving had been stolen during a burglary in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, police said.

Councillor Imran Hussain, Bradford Council deputy leader, with responsibility for safer and stronger communities, said: "We have many individuals across society that do a lot of good and go unnoticed. This is a fine example of someone taking the initiative and watching out for their neighbours.

"Neighbourhood Watch schemes are about watching out for other people. We have decent people in society who will do that, and they deserve to be recognised."

Howard Buckley, Neighbourhood Watch liaison officer for the Bradford District, said schemes had provided invaluable information for many years. The first scheme was set up in Wyke nearly 30 years ago, but there are now 1,500 operating in the Bradford district.

Mr Buckley said: "Being a member encourages people to have a rapport with the police and a desire to improve their neighbourhood. It's not just about crime prevention, it's also about improving the environment.

"They are more security aware and more willing to call the police if something is happening, and we encourage them to report anything suspicious."

Elizabeth Hellmich, who has worked with neighbourhood watch associations in Bradford for more than 20 years, added: "I would recommend becoming a member to anybody. You feel safer because you know other people are looking out for things going on. Working with the police and the community is making a difference."