POLICE have warned residents of rural East Dorset to take care of their belongings following a spate of thefts.

Sometime between November 9 and 14, a chainsaw and a log splitter were stolen from a brick outbuilding at the Gaunts Estate in Witchampton.

A farm building was also raided in West Street, Shapwick, between November 10 and 11.

Offenders cut padlocks to gain entry, but nothing was stolen from within.

On November 11, offenders stole a box of trophies from the cricket pavilion and groundsman's shed at Pamphill.

The box was marked 'Kingston Lacy Cricket Club'.

Between November 12 and 13, a petrol strimmer was stolen from a shed in Ringwood Road, Alderholt.

A garage in the same road was also broken into, and thieves stole a hedge trimmer, pressure washer and car battery charger from within.

Between 8.45pm and 9.45pm on November 14, an outbuilding in the Furzehill area was broken into.

An alarm was triggered as would-be thieves smashed through the roof and nothing was taken.

Between November 14 and 15 in the Ringwood Road area of Alderholt, another shed was broken into, and thieves stole a petrol lawnmower.

Finally two metal tool boxes, an angle grinder and other tools were stolen from a shed raided in the Furzehill area.

Some of these tools have been inscribed with the initials PC.