Police investigating a spate of vehicle crime in East Dorset are appealing for witnesses and anyone with information to come forward.
Between Monday 1 December and Tuesday 16 December, Dorset Police received reports of 13 thefts from vehicles in the Verwood, Ashley Heath and Corfe Mullen areas.
The most recent incidents were:
Between 9pm on Monday 15 December and 7am on Tuesday 16 December, an offender gained access to an insecure vehicle parked in Virginia Close in Verwood. Nothing was taken.
Between 8.30pm on Monday 15 December and 8.40am on Tuesday 16 December, an offender gained access to a car which had been left insecure on the driveway of a house on Verwood Road, Ashley Heath. The vehicle was searched a small amount of cash was stolen.
Between 9pm on Monday 15 December and 7.15am on Tuesday 16 December, an offender broke into a car parked in Virginia Close in Verwood and stole a laptop. The laptop was later recovered.
Police Sergeant Simon Perry, of East Dorset police, said: “I am appealing to anyone with information about who may be responsible for these crimes to contact me urgently.
“All calls will be dealt with in strict confidence.
“We are keeping an open mind as to whether these crimes are linked. In 12 of the 13 incidents the vehicles had been left insecure by the owners.
“These crimes could have been avoided had the vehicles been locked.
“Offences such as these tend to increase over Christmas and New Year. I urge members of the public to please take responsibility for vehicle security. Lock your vehicle and remove all valuables. Most of these offenders are simply opportunists. Don’t make it easy for them.”
An 18-year-old man, of no fixed abode, has pleaded guilty to theft from a motor vehicle in Virginia Close in Verwood between 9pm on Monday 15 December 2014 and 7.15am on Tuesday 16 December . He is due to appear at Bournemouth Crown Court for sentence on Friday 9 January 2015.
Witnesses and anyone with information should call Dorset Police in confidence on 101 quoting incident number 16:64. Alternatively, call the free and anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111 where mobile phone tariffs may apply.
