RESIDENTS in Chippenham are being asked to be vigilant and keep their front doors locked after a man stole a handful of post using a distraction technique earlier this week.

Police are appealing for more information after a man knocked on a door of a house in Plough Lane at around 2pm on Wednesday (May 17) and asked for a jug of water as his car had broken down.

After the occupant closed the door to fetch some water, the man, described as black, between 30 and 40-years-old, of stocky build and around 6ft tall, opened the door and stole some of the resident's post. He was later seen getting into a grey Audi.

PC Hazel Anderson said: "We'd like to speak to anyone who may have seen or heard anything suspicious in this area. Has a man, matching this description, knocked on your door recently?

"I'd also ask people to be check that none of their delivered post is missing and try not to leave letters or parcels lying near a front door."

Anyone with information should call police on 101.