POLICE believe the theft of a bonnet from an Astra van in Chilton Foliat was linked with a road accident the previous day in Ramsbury.

To gain entry to the white Astra van the thieves first smashed the back window but found their way barred to the passenger compartment. They then smashed the driver's door window and undid the bonnet release catch.

They removed the bonnet and the air filter but took nothing else.

The theft happened on Tuesday last week between 7.30pm and 9.15pm.

The previous night there was a hit and run accident in the Crowood Lane area of Ramsbury. A dark coloured Audi saloon parked at the roadside was badly damaged with traces of white paint left on its smashed panels.

Marlborough-based PC Andy Sexton, who is investigating both incidents, said he believed they were linked. He said it was likely that someone living in the Wiltshire/Berkshire border area had crashed into the Audi and wanted a replacement bonnet to repair their own vehicle quickly.

Anyone with information of either incident should contact PC Sexton on (01672) 512311.