BURGLARS have stolen cigarettes from five stores in east and north Dorset in the past six weeks.

Raiders are breaking into businesses around the county specifically to steal the cigarettes, it is believed.

Failed attempts were also made to access a further three shops.

Police investigating the crimes say they are "keeping an open mind" as to whether the incidents are linked.

Officers were first alerted to a burglary at Central Convenience Store in Verwood Road, Wimborne in the early hours of Thursday, March 15.

The till and a quantity of cigarettes were stolen.

Not long afterwards, offenders attempted to break into the Park Garage store in Wimborne Road West. Nothing was stolen.

On Wednesday, March 21, burglars broke into the One Stop in Station Road, Sturminster Newton, and stole a "large quantity" of tobacco products and alcohol.

An attempted raid was then reported at the Post Office in Ringwood Road, St Ives on the morning of Sunday, April 8. Damage was caused to the window of the shop but nothing was stolen from within.

Two burglaries were then reported at WH Smith stores, the first of which happened at 4.20am on Tuesday, April 3 at the branch in Shaftesbury High Street.

Two men forced open the front door and stole packets of cigarettes.

The branch in Crown Mead, Wimborne was targeted just before midnight on Monday, April 9. Once again, cigarettes were stolen by two men.

A further attempted burglary took place at the Co-op in Beaufoy Close, Shaftesbury on the morning of Wednesday, April 11. The front door was forced open but no entry was gained to the premises.

Burglars returned to the Central Convenience Store in Wimborne at 11.36pm on Sunday, April 15. Cigarettes were stolen again.

The burglars also unsuccessfully attempted to get into a cash machine inside the store.

Police are urging traders to consider installing CCTV cameras and alarms. Windows and doors should be fitted with insurance standard locks, investigators say.

Anyone with information about the raids is asked to contact police via dorset.police.uk or by calling 101.