GLAZIER Matthew Pye has hit out at thieves who caused more than £2,000 of damage at his Dorchester firm.

Raiders stole newly-installed computer equipment after forcing their way through the ceiling of Express Glass.

Mr Pye has now been left counting the cost and has called for more police on the beat after the raiders targeted his Grove Trading Estate business.

The owner, who set up the company with wife Nikki four years ago, said the computer equipment taken had only been installed just days earlier.

He said: "The thieves got into the premises by climbing up on to the roof, unbolting a roof sheet and getting into an office through the suspended ceiling.

"They climbed down on to an internal ladder and back out the same way.

"The computer equipment had only been installed a few days earlier and then this happens, it's crazy.

"They wrecked the ceiling and to go to such lengths to get inside the property, they must have known what they wanted.

"With all the damage to the building, there's probably been about £2,000 worth of damage. It's a real shame that things like this happen - I'm upset and angry that people can do this." Mr Pye, who is a member of Dorchester's Chamber of Trade, says extra police in the county town would cut crime.

The businessman recently donated new handsets for police community support officers to link to Dorchester's crime-busting radio watch scheme. Shopkeepers on the scheme use the handsets to warn each other about shoplifters and call for help.

Mr Pye, who also has a branch of Express Glass in Weymouth, said: "I'm a big supporter of the police community support officers because they do some good work.

"But we need more bobbies on the beat to cut down on crime and break-ins like on my firm.

"We need to do all we can to tackle crime in Dorchester and elsewhere locally."

A spokesman for Dorset Police appealed for witnesses to the break-in at Express Glass on the Grove Trading Estate. The incident took place between late last Friday and early Monday.

Anyone with information should call Dorset Police on 01305 222222.