Royal Wootton Bassett & Cricklade Police are hunting for a man who tried to steal a woman’s dog in Lyneham last Monday only to be battered on the head by the woman with a torch.

A medium-build, white man with dark hair approached the woman in The Green around 8:30pm and asked what breed her dog was, before trying to grab the lead from the victim’s hands.

After she hit him with the torch she was carrying, the man, who was described as unshaven and 5ft 9in tall, ran back to his blue Ford Transit van and left The Green in the direction of Calne.

Police have released these images of a man who they believe to have attempted the theft.

“This is a distressing incident for the victim and luckily neither she, or her dog, were hurt,” said Sgt Katharine Smith, from the Neighbourhood Policing Team which covers Lyneham.

“Fortunately incidents like these are rare but we are taking this report extremely seriously – you will see increased police patrols in the area as a result.”

Police are appealing for anyone who may have been in the area of The Green around 8.30pm on March 8 to call them.

They are looking for any information, but in particular those witnesses who may have dash cam footage of the suspect or the van he was in should contact Royal Wootton Bassett & Cricklade Police and quote crime reference 54210022221.

If you recognise the person, or the van, you can call 101 with any piece of information, no matter how small, or report it anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.