A woman has been left badly shaken after a shocking attempted dog theft in Corsham.

The woman had been walking her dog near the alleyway between Priory Street and Charles Street, at around 4.30pm yesterday (March 25), when an unknown man and woman approached and engaged her in conversation. 

The female suspect then tried to snatch the dog, and the owner managed to fight her off but was punched in the head by the perpetrator.

The two suspects then ran off empty handed. 
 
A description of the suspects, issued by police, reads as follows:

- white female with an orange tan, aged in her 30s, with dark hair,  around 5ft 3in tall of medium build.  She was wearing gold hooped earrings and dark clothing. 

- white male with short, black, greasy looking hair, olive skin, aged in his late 30s, around 5ft 10in tall of thin build.  He was wearing a white top under a leather bomber jacket and dark trousers.  He also had a sovereign ring on his left hand.  

Both had "non-local" accents.   

Sgt Jansen Carter, from the Neighbourhood Policing Team which covers Corsham, said: “This is a distressing incident for the victim.  Fortunately, she was not seriously hurt in the assault, although she was badly shaken. 

"Luckily her dog was not hurt. Please remember that 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.

"We would like to speak to anyone who may have heard or seen anything suspicious in this part of Corsham yesterday.  Perhaps you saw the couple in question?
"We would also like to hear from anyone who has a dash cam and may have been in the area at this time and so may have footage of the assault." 

If you can help, please contact police on 101 quoting crime reference number 54210028317. 

You can also report anonymously, via Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111.