BEACH hut owners are reeling after more than 20 huts were broken into over the Christmas period.

Angry owners say their huts huts were targeted at Branksome, Poole, on Saturday, with more broken into on Christmas Eve.

Dorset Police told the Echo up to 30 huts had been broken into, and that they were first notified of the break-ins on Christmas Day morning.

Bournemouth Echo:

Yesterday, Borough of Poole (BOP) contractors were working to replace broken panels at more then a dozen of the beach huts, which had been smashed into at Branksome Chine.

Hut owner Wendy Phelps said: "I only found out because a couple of my friends came down her on Boxing Day, I'm sure a lot of people still don't know.

"The hut has been completely ransacked, it is awful.

"If my friends hadn't have told me, I wouldn't never have known.

"Walking from Bournemouth the other day, when we got to Poole we noticed there is no lighting here at all - it is pitch black with no CCTV cameras.

"We pay £2,500 a year for these huts, a bit of security would be nice.

"They haven't stolen anything either, we think it is druggies."

Bournemouth Echo:

According to other owners, money, alcohol and expensive items which were clearly on display had been left by whoever committed the break-ins.

Poole Beach Huts Association chairman Bob Lister said: "What has happened is they have smashed the bottom panels in, then put their hands in and unlocked the door from the inside. I know a lot of people are going back down there today to clear up the glass and investigate.

"Whether it happened Christmas Eve or Christmas Day I don't know, but its not a very nice visit from Santa is it?"

Dorset Police spokesman confirmed they received a call at 10.26am on Christmas Day, reporting the beach huts had been broken into at Branksome Chine.

"It was subsequently reported that up to 30 beach huts had been broken into but it was not clear if anything had been taken," said the spokesman. "The local authority was notified and enquiries into the incident are ongoing.

"No arrests have been made at this stage."