THIEVES in Weymouth rammed open a garage and smashed through a shop window in two overnight burglaries.

The two raids took place on Tuesday night in Westham when raiders made off with nearly £4,000 worth of goods.

Now Dorset Police are urging the public to help them find the thieves and have warned residents to be vigilant.

PCSO Jake Williams, from the Westham Safer Neighbourhood Team, said police believed that the garage in Emmadale Road, just off Abbotsbury Road, was rammed by a car between 8pm on Tuesday and 9am on Wednesday.

PCSO Williams said £1,000 worth of tools were stolen from the detached garage. Just along the road a second break-in occurred at the WindowMan shop in Abbotsbury Road.

Police said that a thief smashed their way into the shop before ransacking drawers and making off with a laptop and a watch worth £3,000.

Shop owner Joseph Djeebet said: “I couldn’t believe it when I heard that the shop had been smashed in.

“It seems to be getting worse at the moment for small crimes like these in and around Abbotsbury Road.

“It seems like there is something on a daily basis.

“The first thing I’m going to do is to install better security and I urge other shop owners and residents to do the same.”

PCSO Williams appealed for witnesses and information.

He said: “There has been a number of break-ins, especially to outbuildings and garages in the area, and also vandalism. We are working on the problem but we advise the public to be vigilant and to report any suspicious activity the police.”

Anyone who saw or heard anything on Tuesday night is urged to contact Dorset Police on 01305 222222.

* If you have any stories or news about Westham contact Echo reporter Miriam Phillips on 01305 830985.