A WOMAN from near Malpas has been left 'shaken up' following the attempted theft of her dog.
At around 7.45pm on Tuesday, August 18 a 55-year-old woman was walking along Hall Lane in Edge Green when a white van pulled up alongside her.
A man then got out of the passenger door, approached the victim and demanded that she hand over her dog, a white Maltese terrier.
The woman refused and instead picked up the dog and held it against her chest.
Following a short struggle between the offender and the woman, the driver of the van got out of the vehicle and told the passenger to get back inside.
They then drove off along Hall Lane, travelling towards the A41 Whitchurch Road.
According to Cheshire Police, the man who attempted to take the dog was white and is estimated to be in his 50s, was of medium build, spoke with an Irish accent and was wearing a T-shirt and grey jogging bottoms.
Enquiries in relation to the incident are ongoing and detective constable Tom Philpotts, of Chester CID, is urging anyone with an information that may help the investigation to get in touch.
"The victim has understandably been left shaken up by the ordeal," said Det Con Philpotts.
"I would like to reassure members of the community that we are committed to doing all we can to trace the men in the van.
"As part of our investigation we want to speak to anyone who was in the area at the time of the incident and believes they may have witnessed something relevant.
"We are also keen to hear from anyone with any CCTV or dashcam footage which may aid our investigation.
"The A41 is a particularly busy road and I believe that a number of motorists may have dashcam footage of the men fleeing the scene in the white van.
"I would also like to hear from anyone who is aware of any similar incidents in the area.
"I ask anyone with any such footage or information, no matter how small, to contact the team here at Chester on 101, quoting IML 783825."
Information can also be reported online at www.cheshire.police.uk/ro/report
Alternatively, information can be given to Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555 111 or via https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/forms/give-information-anonymously
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