This is the moment an armed robber was tackled to the ground by ‘have-a-go heroes’, who helped police secure a lengthy conviction for an Estonian gang.

Three men, who had flown into the UK from their native country just days before they raided a jewellers in Leeds, stole almost £1 million worth of watches during the daylight robbery on March 24.

One of the gang members, Alar Kajurand, wore a dark wig and hat to pose as a customer and lure the security guard into opening the door.

His accomplice, Taimar Uibopuu, then followed him into the shop and pointed a handgun at the guard before he and a third man, Rainis Kilk, began removing watches from the window display.

As the robbery was carried out, Kajurand directed the terrified staff to the back of the shop at gunpoint.

The raid lasted just three minutes but members of the public had already contacted the police before the gang fled.

As the robbers left the jewellers, Uibopuu 30, was charged at by a passer-by and pinned to the ground until officers arrived.

A total of 64 watches worth nearly £500,000, a hammer, a scarf and a return train ticket from Manchester to Leeds were all found in Uibopuu’s possession.

Kajurand, 44, and Kilk, 26, fled the scene, but officers soon realised they were likely to be in Manchester, thanks to the evidence found on Uibopuu.

Kajurand and Kilk were arrested by firearms officers at their hotel room in the early hours of the next day and a receipt for a BB gun bought two days earlier was found.

Extensive enquiries by West Yorkshire Police uncovered other evidence that linked the men to the robbery and Kilk and Kajurand to a raid in London.

Detectives found that Kilk’s DNA had been identified on a plastic drinks bottle recovered from the scene of a robbery at Watches of Switzerland in Oxford Street on February 25.

Kajurand and Kilk flew to London days before the robbery and stole six Cartier watches worth more than £28,000 after threatening staff with a handgun and smashing a cabinet with a hammer.

Kilk was involved in a struggle with a security guard as they left the shop and was only released when Kajurand returned and threatened the guard at gunpoint.

A drawstring bag containing a seventh Cartier watch, a baseball cap, a pair of wire cutters and a bottle with Kilk’s DNA on were left behind following the struggle.

The men were subsequently charged with conspiracy to commit robberies in relation to both offences.

The trio were jailed for a total of 51 years at Leeds Crown Court yesterday after being found guilty.

Kajurand and Kilk were each sentenced to 18 years while Uibopuu was jailed for 15 years.

Detective Inspector Phil Jackson, from Leeds District CID, said: “They put very detailed planning into the offences and did everything they could to avoid detection.

“What they hadn’t bargained on was the very courageous actions of the members of the public who intervened and detained one of the gang at the scene of the Leeds robbery and forced them to leave behind crucial evidence in London.

“While we never encourage members of the public to put themselves at risk, their actions proved absolutely vital in bringing these men to justice.”