Ref. 28074-33A SHOPKEEPER has told how he struggled with an alleged would-be thief until the police arrived.

And Mohammed Choudhary, 54, is full of praise for two customers he says helped him and his family detain the man.

Mr Choudhary says he was left with a bruised nose after the man allegedly hit him and he was taken to the Great Western Hospital for a check-up.

Mr Choudhary has been at Cheney Manor Post Office in Cheney Manor Road with wife Nighat, 48 and daughter Farrah, 22, for three months. Farrah is postmistress.

Mr Choudhary said: "We open the shop at 8am and the post office section at 9am.

"A man came in and went straight to the shelf where we keep the coffee.

"He grabbed a lot of jars and put them in a bag.

"He tried to leave but I was able to reach him and take hold of him. There was then a lot of trouble for about 15 or 20 minutes until the police came. My daughter had called them.

"He was shouting and swearing and struggling. He hit me on the side of the nose and on the ear.

"One of my customers, a lady, came into the shop while we were struggling. She saw what was happening and held the door closed.

"Later another customer, a man, came and helped me to hold on to the man."

Previously the Choudharys had a post office in Torquay, Devon.

Mr Choudhary said: "The local community is excellent and we know each other. They are very helpful all the time.

"I have already had many people coming to see me and ask if I am all right."

The family aims to fulfil a central role in the community, with a general store as well as a post office and space given over to allowing local charities and other groups to publicise themselves and their work.

n Swindon police spokeswoman Alvina Kumar said a 23-year-old man from Moredon had been arrested on suspicion of attempted theft and taken to Westlea police station to be interviewed.

Barrie Hudson