A robbery at a Marlborough jewellery shop this morning ended with a car set alight and a high speed pursuit through Swindon.
Police were called to Deacon & Sons in Marlborough High Street at 9.45 this morning (Tuesday), after reports that five masked men had smashed display cabinets and grabbed items of jewellery and cash, before making off in a car which was later set on fire.
A short time later, say police, a high-powered Seat Leon CR made off from police in Swindon before colliding with two other vehicles, including a Royal Mail postal van, on the A419 slip road close to the Great Western Hospital.
The occupants of the car ran off into the wooded area around the hospital.
The police helicopter was scrambled and sniffer dogs brought in to help with the search. Three men were later arrested.
Chief Inspector Keith Ewart of Swindon Operations said: “These are clearly two very serious incidents, which are ongoing.
“There will be a large police presence in the area of the Great Western Hospital and in Marlborough over the next few hours.
“I would urge anyone who may have witnessed any suspicious vehicles or incident within Marlborough to come forward.
”Likewise, anyone who was present at the Great Western Hospital and may have witnessed males running from the direction of the A419, should contact Wiltshire Police on 101 immediately.”
