In one of the more bizarre crime-fighting acts of recent history, a man dressed as Batman has delivered a wanted man into the hands of British police.

The caped crusader strode into a police station in Bradford, northern England, in the early hours of one morning last week.

He was wearing Batman's signature mask and cape, but did not have quite as impressive a physique as fans might have been led to expect from the comic strip.

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The pot-bellied crime fighter was in fact bringing in a 27-year-old man subsequently charged with handling stolen goods and fraud offences.

In Bradford, just as it has always been in Gotham City, the identity of the superhero remains unknown.

And he is reported to have said: "I've caught this one for you," in a scene reminiscent of the television series.

There was no sign of any sidekick in Bradford, and it is not known if the disguised vigilante retreated to the village of Gotham, in nearby Nottinghamshire.

But the story inspired normally sober BBC reporters at the scene, with one saying it was "probably the most exciting thing ever to happen here".

It is thought the superhero knew the man he apprehended, since there had been no public appeal to find the offender.

Police say they cannot comment further, but at this stage they have confirmed they do not know Batman's true identity.

Local joke shop owner Catherine Sutcliffe says she believes she met the man in question.

"He was very specific about what he wanted - he wanted a grey Batman outfit," she said.

"He was a tall young man, a local man.

"I believe he lives on Letsbe Avenue."

The whole event was captured on CCTV.

It is not the first time Batman has been caught in action.

Last year a US police officer pulled over the masked crusader for travelling in a car with Batman number plates.