David Schwimmer helped police officers solve a stabbing.

The former 'Friends' star aided officials in investigating a dramatic robbery gone wrong that took place next door to his $4 million home in New York's East Village on Monday morning (26.05.14) by allowing them to review footage captured by his security cameras.

The cameras caught the end of an altercation between David's 26-year-old male neighbour, a transgender prostitute the man had solicited and robber Robert Rainey, 21, who allegedly broke into the man's home and attempted to steal his laptop.

According to the New York Daily News, the 26-year-old man was having sex with the prostitute in his bathroom - which adjoins David's apartment - when he heard an intruder in his house. The affray spilled outside when the man chased the thief with a box cutter, but Rainey managed to wrestle it away from him and slashed the man across the face.

An onlooker said: ''It started inside and spilled out into the street. There was blood everywhere.''

Another eyewitness heard the victim shout, ''He sliced me up!'', reports the New York Post newspaper.

In a bizarre twist, it's claimed the prostitute may have been in cahoots with the robber and pepper-sprayed her client before running away.

Officers noticed David, 47, had cameras outside his home and the actor - famous for playing Ross Gellar - was happy to accommodate them by allowing them to view the footage to build a case against Rainey.

The thief was detained and charged with robbery, assault and criminal possession of stolen property.