TWO people have been arrested after a car was used to break into a shop in North Dorset.

A black Ford Focus estate was driven into the front door of WHSmith in High Street, Shaftesbury, just before 3am on Saturday, January 21,forcing the doors to open.

It is alleged that a man then entered the shop and stole more than £400 from the tills and a charity box.

A similar vehicle was seen leaving the scene of an attempted burglary in Sherborne on the same day.

The incident at WHSmith in Cheap Street, Sherborne, took place sometime between 11.40pm and 11.55pm.

It is alleged a man tried to force open the doors of the shop using a bent strip of metal. Nothing was stolen.

Police are asking for anyone who saw or heard anything to get in touch.

Detective Constable Andy Marsh, of Weymouth CID, said: “Both of these incidents would have made a significant amount of noise and I am appealing to anyone who was in the area at the time and saw or heard anything suspicious to please get in touch.

“I am also keen to hear from anyone who witnessed a black Ford Focus estate vehicle acting suspiciously in either Shaftesbury or Sherborne at the time of the offences.

“I would ask that the public remain vigilant and report anything suspicious to the police.”

A 33-year-old man and a 28-year-old woman - both from Weston-super-Mare - have been arrested on suspicion of burglary and are currently on police bail pending further enquiries.

Anyone with information should contact police on 101, quoting occurrence number 55170010287.