OFFICERS spotted a suspected burglar leaving the Carphone Warehouse through the bottom panel of its front door in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

The police were dressed in plain clothes while cycling on a routine patrol along the Wootton Bassett Road footpath towards Penzance Drive at around 3am when they saw the man exit while carrying a bag of items.

They chased him and three other men who were with him into Mannington Retail Park, then lost sight of the group.

Dog units and a police helicopter helped the officers search the area.

They found a bag full of stolen goods in the retail park’s car park.

A 32-year-old man of no fixed address was arrested on suspicion of burglary.

He was also wanted for a number of offences, including a serious assault in another force area, and is currently in police custody.

Sgt Caroline Burt, from Swindon North Community Policing Team, said: “This is a fantastic example of proactive policing, where officers used their bikes to carry out patrols of the town.

“During their shift they cycled a total of 26 miles and witnessed this crime in progress so acted swiftly to detain and arrest a suspect.

“We know that burglaries, regardless of whether it is someone’s home or business being broken into, is a distressing, inconvenient and financially damaging crime."

“You can find crime prevention advice on our website”

Anyone who has information about the burglary should call Wiltshire Police on 101 quoting log 28 of August 29 2018, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.