RESIDENTS have spoken about their shock after two burglars broke into a home and confronted a young girl.

As previously reported, at around 10.50am on Friday, July 5, two men gained entry to a property in Viscount Road and one of the men was in possession of a long screwdriver.

An altercation ensued between one of the men and the occupant of the house – a teenage girl – and her phone was taken.

The men also left the property with cash.

Fortunately, the victim did not sustain any injuries.

Fellow residents of Viscount Road spoke of their worry about the burglary and their sympathies for the young victim.

The residents spoke to The Echo, but did not want to be named.

One resident said: “I had been out walking the dogs and I came back about 45 minutes later and police cars were everywhere.

“It is scary, it does worry me and I locked all of my doors very quickly when I heard what happened.

“It doesn’t happen around here, it is quite secluded around the back there.

“There were five police cars, forensics and an ambulance, I don’t know if that was related.

“It is unnerving."

It is understood the burglars entered the property from a narrow footpath - Cockles Lane - which runs behind the back of the road.

Cockles Lane behind Viscount RoadCockles Lane behind Viscount Road (Image: Tom Lawrence)

Another resident said: “A lot of people walk along the lane behind us and that is where they got in.

“We were out just prior to it happening, when we came back there were a lot of police cars.

“Cockles Lane is behind us. I tell people to keep the rear gates locked.

“We have been here since 1997, we know that some years ago before we had a proper fence behind us we heard a noise one night and there were a couple of guys at the back of our house.

“I said ‘What are you doing’, they said ‘You have got a panel down’ and I hadn’t.

“I recently replaced the padlock and shored it up only a week ago.

“People do walk along there and I know that people have tried to get in before through the back garden.

“It is very unfortunate what happened.

“We heard they got in through the back with a screwdriver and frightened the poor young girl.

“I feel sorry for them, they have been shaken up quite a bit by it.

“We have a security light at the back but now I am thinking about getting a camera installation as a bit more security."

Detective Constable Mia-Isabella Bowditch, of Dorset County CID, said: “This was an extremely distressing experience for the young victim residing at the property and we are conducting a number of enquiries to identify those involved.

“I would urge anyone who witnessed any suspicious activity in Viscount Road, Lanehouse Rocks Road and the surrounding area at the time of the incident to please come forward.

“I would also ask residents with home CCTV or doorbell cameras, as well as motorists with dashcam who were in the area, to please check their footage for anything that might assist our enquiries.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk/contact or by calling 101, quoting number 55240101490.

Alternatively, independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling Freephone 0800 555 111.