Staff from Broad Hinton village post office gave chase when a gang of distraction offenders made off shortly after 3pm yesterday.

Police said that a group of between five and seven people entered the post office and made an attempt to distract the woman owner.

She had the presence of mind to realise what was happening and secured the post office counter area and set off a personal attack alarm before any theft or distraction could take place.

One of the gang grabbed the woman's wrist but she freed herself and called for help.

The group made off in a K-registered red BMW estate that had been parked at the Crown public house.

The male owner of the shop then pursued the gang in his car and followed them into Horton Way in Broad Hinton where an attempt was made to ram his vehicle by the BMW.

Eventually the BMW drove off at speed towards the A4361 Devizes-Swindon road.