Spate of burglaries in Dorchester

Thieves have targeted five properties in the Victoria Park area over the past week, forcing entry and taking cash and other belongings.

Police in Dorchester are appealing for information about the burglaries which took place in Coburg Road, Damers Road and Windsor Road and Inspector Les Fry is urging residents to be ‘on their guard’. Amanda Sappleton, who lives in Damers Road, said she believed thieves attempted to burgle her property but were scared off by her 18-month-old Staffordshire bull terriers.

She said her two dogs, Kimbo and Quiff, started barking in the early hours of Sunday morning which was unusual for the pair and she said it could have been triggered by an intruder.

Ms Sappleton said: “My dogs started going crazy the other night at about one or two in the morning.

“They were barking like mad and they never do that.

“We opened the back door and they went racing into the garden and I did go out and have a look and I said to my son, ‘I wonder if they heard something?’ ”

Ms Sappleton said that a noise like the gate opening could have set her pets off and she was grateful that her dogs’ barking could have acted as a deterrent.

She added: “I am concerned that there are burglaries taking place for myself, my family and the community and I’d urge people to be a bit more aware.

“I will now be more careful about locking doors and windows and also taking notice of my dogs if they start barking again.”

Anthony and Irene Holt, also of Damers Road, said they experienced what they thought was ‘suspicious activity’ when somebody knocked on their door asking whether they were interested in loft insulation.

Mrs Holt said: “He was talking about loft insulation and how you could get it free if you were over a particular age but he said he needed to go up to the loft to see if we needed it first and we said ‘no way’.

“It was about five or six o’clock and there was no identification and he couldn’t tell us who he worked for.

“He could have been genuine but I don’t think he was.”

Inspector Les Fry, of Dorchester Police, said: “We’ve had a number of dwelling burglaries in the Victoria Park area of Dorchester.

“Over the last week, Coburg Road, Damers Road and Windsor Road have been attacked.

“Peak times appear to be between 5.30pm and 8.30pm, they’ve been forcing entry and taking cash and property.

“I’d encourage people in the area to be on their guard.

“Any witnesses or anyone who has seen anything suspicious is asked to call the police.”

Anyone with information should contact Dorset Police on 01305 222222.