Father's pride at daughter's 'adorable e-fit' which she drew to catch neighbour's burglar

Police have been assisted by crime-solving Ellen who hopes her e-fit drawing of the culprit will lead to his arrest. Picture: SWNS

Brian Dougal, 47, and his daughter Ellen, 10, were at a friend's house having dinner when the police knocked on the door.

Officers arrived to take their friend Paul Coulson's statement after he spotted a burglar escaping from his neighbour's back garden on last Wednesday (11/3).

As he described the crook to the officer, quick thinking Ellen took to paper and pencil to draw an e-fit sketch based on his descriptions.

Ellen poses with PC Suddaby. Picture: SWNS

Talented Ellen handed the drawing to PC Suddaby, who was on the case, who told the schoolgirl that her drawing may help them find the burglar.

Shop fitter Brian said he "couldn't be prouder" of his daughter, who he thinks may have a future in the force.

Brian, from Hull, East Yorks., said: "On Saturday night we were at his house having dinner and some drinks when the police came round to get a statement.

"My Ellen had a pad and some pencils and she started drawing him as he was being described to the officer.

The hooded burglar who Ellen, 10 drew for police. Picture: SWNS

"She's amazing at drawing and she loves to do it.

"She managed to get it all done so quickly, in just minutes while we were having the chat with the officer.

"They said it might help the investigation.

"I'm not surprised she had it in her, as her mum was a PCSO."

He added: "I couldn't be prouder of Ellen, she's been brought up this way - to help people whenever she can.

"She thought it would be good to help the police and I wouldn't be surprised if she has a future as a police officer"

Brian's close fishing friend Paul Coulson lived across the street from the woman whose home was nearly burgled, last Wednesday (11/3) afternoon.

He works from home and spotted the hooded man leaving the property through its back gate and sped down to confront him.

The speedy burglar managed to escape but left behind the woman's purse, handbag and car keys.

When the police arrived on Saturday (14/3) night, Paul noted how impressed he was with creative Ellen's initiative.

The 41-year-old man from Hull said: "I work from home and I was daydreaming looking out the window when I saw this man come out of the neighbour's back gate.

"I went down to confront him but he was lightning fast, like Usain Bolt but thankfully he dropped the handbag, purse, and car keys.

"I was so impressed with how quickly Ellen took the initiative to start drawing.

"She's a confident girl and she loves drawing, so it doesn't surprise me."

He added: "It was going around the Facebook groups that this guy had tried to burglar the neighbour and others said the same guy had tried to break into their property, so she might have a hand in catching a serial burglar."

Crime stopping Ellen has been closely monitoring Facebook to see if there have been any updates and if they had caught the crook.

She said: "I love drawing so as soon as they were describing him I took my pencil.

"It was amazing to see a police officer and I just wanted to help. I was really excited to help the police.

"I hope my drawing helps them catch him."