SECURITY-conscious villagers in Bishops Cannings and drivers who were out and about in the early hours on Sunday morning are being asked to help police, after an incident where a car was abandoned near the village after a short police pursuit.

This morning police issued a statement, saying: "We are appealing for the public’s help following a failure to stop in Devizes during the early hours of Sunday, January 3.

"Shortly after 1.20am a black Vauxhall Astra failed to stop for officers on London Road which resulted in a short pursuit out of Devizes towards Beckhampton on the A361.

"The driver jumped out of the moving vehicle and fled on foot away from the A361 across fields in the direction of Bishops Cannings. Despite multiple units and the use of a drone at the scene, the driver was not located."

PC Richard Clark said: “This was an incident of extremely dangerous driving and a flagrant disregard for the law.

“We would like the support of members of public who may have been driving in the area at the time of the incident and have any dashcam footage.

“We believe the suspect may have taken refuge somewhere in Bishops Cannings and would like to speak to anyone in the area who has CCTV or doorbell camera footage that might help officers with our investigations."

A 30-year-old man from Lyneham was arrested on suspicion of driving offences later the same day and has since been released under investigation.

If you can help police call 101 and quote crime reference number 54210000380.