A person has been spotted trying to gain entry to vehicles in Poundbury.

Police have received two separate reports from residents who have seen a person ‘trying car door handles’ in the area overnight.

One of the residents even reported that the same person had also attempted to gain entry to properties via garage doors before being disturbed.

Officers believe that this is ‘an opportunist thief looking for easy pickings.’

A spokesperson for Dorchester Police said: “Over the past couple of weeks the Dorchester Neighbourhood Policing Team have received two separate reports of residents observing a person trying car door handles in the Poundbury area overnight. One of the reports said the person also tried garage doors before being disturbed by the resident shouting.

“This is likely to be an opportunist thief looking for easy pickings. Please remember to remove valuables from cars when unattended and check doors are locked. Consider target hardening of garages and outbuildings with extra security measures if valuable items are stored in them.”