AN OPPORTUNIST thief stole a dark grey sports car from Poole Park after the owner dropped the keys.

The BMW 1 Series, which has the registration plate, NA54 NWM, was taken between 4.28pm and 4.29pm on Friday, January 22.

The owner, who has asked not to be named, said that she left her car in the carpark by The Ark café and later realised that she had dropped the keys.

She added: “The person has picked the keys and rather than handed them in, they have used them to go round the carpark and work out which car it was before driving away.

“I am sure that the person has dumped the car somewhere and I would like it back.”

She has asked members of the public to report any sightings of the car to Dorset Police.

A spokesperson for the force has appealed for anyone who sees this vehicle to contact them on 999 if it is safe to do so.

If the car is stationary they have advised people to state the road name, and location, or if it's being driven, police are asking for the direction of travel, the road name, and location.

This story has been updated following new information provided to Daily Echo by the reported owner of the vehicle.