THIEVES cut through a wire fence before stealing a burger van by towing it away in broad daylight.

Police in Sturminster Newton have released a CCTV image of the crime and are asking for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward.

The culprits cut through the fence to get into the car park of Jordan and Faber Contractors at 7.16pm on Sunday, September 2, and used a dark-coloured vehicle to tow the burger van away.

PC Maureen Hayward said: “This is a despicable crime. The van was the livelihood of the victim, who is extremely upset and shocked.

“She used it to sell refreshments to the workers on the estate who have also suffered as a result of this theft.

“It was daylight at the time and there were people in the vicinity who may have seen something that will help us find the offenders.”

The stolen van is white and has 'Totally Tasteful' written above the serving hatch. There are also pictures of a chef with a hat on and a soup pot on either side of the serving hatch.

Call Dorset Police in confidence on 101, quoting incident number 03:47, or the free and anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111.