A SUSPECT has been released on bail as police continue to investigate an attempted burglary at a south Staffordshire shop in which a man wielded a hedge trimmer.

A man holding a hedge cutting device was reported to have entered Swindon Stores on High Street, Swindon, and demanded money from the shopkeeper at about 10.35pm on Thursday October 3.

Luckily, no-one was injured and the suspect left the device at the scene – fleeing empty-handed.

Officers from South Staffordshire Police quickly carried out enquiries and on Friday October 4 a 30-year-old man from Wombourne was arrested on suspicion of aggravated burglary.

He was taken into custody for questioning but has since been released on police bail while enquiries continue.

Chief Inspector Tim Norbury, from the south Staffordshire local policing team, said: “We don’t underestimate the profound impact that burglary can have on residents and businesses, regardless whether anything is taken by the suspects.

“We’re working incredibly hard to proactively target the offenders who think they can get away with stealing from the members of the community we proudly serve on a daily basis in Staffordshire.”