POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a dog was almost stolen outside a pub in Malvern.

Officers said the dog was nearly snatched near to the BlueBell Pub in Ryall Grove at around 3:30pm on Friday March 26.

Three masked men in a black Citroën transit van are thought to have been involved in the attempted dog theft.

Police are asking anyone with information to please get in touch with them either via their website or by calling 101 and quoting: 22/26982/21.

Last month posters appeared along Peachfield Road following a report of attempted dog theft on Malvern Common, and police in the town were advising dog walkers to be careful.

A post was widely shared on Facebook from a Malvern resident who said a man attempted to take their dog while walking.

It said: “Warning to all dog owners: please be extra vigilant. Yesterday morning someone tried to snatch my lead and take our dog on Peachfield Common, so please keep an extra close eye on your fur babies.

“He is not an expensive or sought after pedigree just a weird and wonderful cross and a much loved member of the family.”