A staff member who played peacemaker when he intervened in an argument between two people in the street was left counting the cost when his store was damaged.

Hundreds of pounds’ worth of stock at the shop in Commercial Road was damaged on Saturday in an incident in which a 22-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of causing criminal damage.

The incident unfolded at Yembank Afro Caribbean Store at 2.30pm.

A staff member from the shop went outside to try to end a row in front of the store, which later ended in damage being caused inside.

Inspector Jason Reynolds, based at Gablecross Police Station, was called to the scene and said the good deed had backfired.

He said: “The person from the shop was very public-spirited in their attempts to break up the dispute.

“Unfortunately for them it went a little bit wrong on this occasion and resulted in a lot of damage.”

A Wiltshire Police spokesman said the woman had been released on police bail pending further enquiries.

“A 22-year-old woman was arrested on Saturday following an incident at the Caribbean food store on Commercial Road on suspicion of criminal damage, obstructing a constable in the execution of their duty and assaulting an officer in the execution of their duty,” he said.

Police confirmed that the arrested woman is from Swindon.

Officers are still investigating the incident and have appealed for witnesses to come forward.

Anyone with information should contact the police on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.