A SHOPLIFTER kicked his way through a Tesco fire escape and assaulted a security guard in an escape bid.

The man is said to have visited the Tesco Ocotal Way superstore on Saturday, April 20, at around 6.50pm.

He took a boxed television from the shop shelves, made no attempt to pay for the kit and then kicked his way through a fire escape door and fled from the store.

A Wiltshire Police spokeswoman said: "A security guard chased the man and whilst trying to detain him, he was assaulted and sustained facial injuries."

Police have appealed for witnesses or anyone who knows the suspected thief to come forward.

Officers have released a CCTV image of the man they would like to speak to in connection with the theft. He was white, dark-haired, wearing sunglasses, a black vest and blue shorts.

Anyone with information should call police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.