RESIDENTS have been urged to remain vigilant following a spate of burglaries in a North Dorset town.

Three of the offences occurred during the night at residential properties in Shaftesbury and local officers are warning homeowners to make sure their dwellings are properly secured.

During the early hours of Saturday, December 14, car keys and two laptops were stolen from a home in Wincombe Lane. The victim’s bank card was also taken and subsequently used to withdraw £250 in cash.

At 3.50pm the following day a burglary occurred at the Spar store in Mampitts Lane, with keys stolen from a storage area.

A further report was received that at 9.55pm on Sunday, December 15, an intruder had entered a property in Ivy Crofts Road but was chased out of the premises when challenged by the occupants. It is not believed anything was stolen.

Just after 7am on Monday, December 16, Dorset Police received a report of a burglary at an address in Gower Road. It was reported that during the previous night entry had been gained to the property and Christmas presents were taken from under the tree.

Officers have also received reports of a man seen trying car and house doors in the area.

Inspector Simon Perry, of North Dorset police, said: “I am appealing for anyone with information about any of these offences to please contact us. In particular I would urge people with home CCTV systems to check their footage around the relevant times and locations of the offences reported to us.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to remind residents in the area to make sure all their doors are properly secured at night so they do not make their homes easy targets for thieves.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk, via email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55190196284. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org.