POLICE chased an armed gang along the M4 from Wootton Bassett after an attempted break-in.

Police received reports that five men wearing balaclavas and carrying crowbars and a pistol were at technology firm Memory Plus at 1.40pm on Monday.

They did not get into the building and were seen driving down the M4 toward Londonin a blue Vauxhall Vectra.

The car was spotted near junction 16 by detective constable Andy Aves, of Wootton Basset, who followed it and called in the police helicopter.

The car reached speeds of 100 mph in an attempt to escape police and Thames Valley Police's helicopter took over just outside London.

The car stopped at about 4pm and the suspects ran into a block of flats at the back of Heathrow Airport.

The building was surrounded by officers from Surrey. Five men were arrested at 4.11pm and taken to Staines Police Station.

Police want to hear from anyone who saw the car in Wootton Bassett, or who saw anything thrown from the vehicle, including balaclavas and gloves.

Anyone with information should contact Chippenham CID on (01249) 654455 or Crimestoppers on (0800) 555111.

Five men have been released on police bail pending further inquiries and are due to return to Chippenham police station on November 29.