A BRAVE 57-year-old woman leapt on to a van in a bid to stop burglars driving off with stolen goods from her home.

She grabbed the windscreen wipers but was pushed off the vehicle to the ground and injured by one of two offenders.

Police have now appealed to the public for information about the offence, which took place in the East orchard area of Shaftesbury on Saturday February 21.

Officers said the woman arrived home at about 11.30am to see two men loading items from her home into a white transit van.

Despite her attempts to stop them, they drove away from the scene in the direction of Shaftesbury.

A bespoke pressure washer and a Yamaha outboard engine were stolen during the incident, along with an amount of cash.

The vehicle used by the offenders was a white Renault Traffic van.

PC Laura Green, of Blandford police, said: “The victim was injured, following the theft, when she tried to protect her belongings. The van also suffered damage to the windscreen wipers.

“I would like to hear from any witnesses who saw these men, or the van, in the East Orchard or Shaftesbury areas on Saturday February 21. Anyone with information should contact me, in confidence, on 101.”

Witnesses and anyone with information should call Dorset Police in confidence on 101, quoting incident number 21:159. Alternatively, call the free and anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111 where mobile phone tariffs may apply.