Shoplifters who see Marlborough as an easy target because it has no town centre CCTV, hit a High Street chemist’s shop on two successive days.

Thieves who took an estimated £1,000 worth of cosmetics were seen by a member of the public putting their haul into a car. She went into the shop to tell staff but the gang got away.

The same thieves are believed to have returned the next day. Another member of the public challenged them and they fled empty-handed.

PCSO Mark Braithwaite, responsible for town centre patrols, said: “Unfortunately the staff never took this woman’s details and we would like her to get in touch to see if she has any information that might help us catch these thieves.”

He said tackling store crime was virtually impossible because there were no cameras to record suspects’ movements or vehicle registrations.

The officer stopped a man and woman who arrived by bus from Swindon carrying six empty bags but with little cash to go shopping.

The couple – she has convictions for theft and prostitution – were seen on the bus forcing a security tag from a pair of shoes.

A witness dialled 999 on her mobile and PCSO Braithwaite met the bus when it pulled into the High Street and detained the women. They were escorted back to the bus stop after being searched at the police station.