A man wielding a hammer caused thousands of pounds worth of damage to several shops in Devizes.

Police were called twice in the early hours of Sunday morning to reports of a man smashing shop windows and ATMs with a hammer in the town centre, but the offender escaped.

The first incident was at about 2.30am when a man used a hammer to smash the windows and doors at Shamrock Linens in The Brittox.

He is reported to have walked calmly away before running off towards the Market Place. Police were on the scene within minutes but could not locate him.

At about 5am, police were called after a man was seen damaging an ATM with a hammer before making off in the direction of Devizes Town Hall and possibly St John’s Court.

Officers were again on the scene within minutes and a police dog was used in an effort to trace the offender.

The search lasted several hours but the offender was not located, although traces of blood were found in the street.

A search of the town later revealed ATMs at Santander, Lloyds TSB, HSBC and Barclays had been damaged along with shop windows including Roses, Johnson’s dry cleaners and Goughs solicitors.

Det Sgt Nick Mackian, from Melksham CID, said: “No individual was threatened directly by the man and it appears he was simply intent on causing damage rather than harm.

“No cash or property was taken from any of those businesses affected.

“We believe he may have injured his hand, so we are keen to hear from people who may know someone who has recently suffered an unexplained hand injury.”

Insp Ron Peach, commander of Devizes Police, said: “This is a highly unusual incident where the suspect has come equipped to do damage and done exactly that. At no time was anybody threatened or put in danger.

“However, this type of wanton damage is wholly unacceptable and local officers are determined to bring to justice whoever is responsible.”

The police have issued descriptions of two men they would like to speak to. One is white, in his late twenties, 5ft 10in tall and wearing a black woolly hat, dark trousers and a black leather jacket. The second is a white man, wearing a dark hoody and carrying a rucksack.

If you can help, call Wiltshire Police on 101.