AN INVESTIGATION has been launched after an £11,000 lawnmower and various gardening tools were stolen from an East Dorset special needs college.

The theft at Aurora Boveridge College took place in the morning on Wednesday, January 29, when a metal lock-up container was broken into on the further educational college's grounds.

Items taken included a Kubota G23-11 ride-on lawnmower, valued at around £11,000, and various Stihl gardening tools.

CCTV footage shows two people driving the lawnmower away at 4.55am, followed by a black, possibly Peugeot, car loading the other items just after 5am.

Officers are appealing for witnesses to come forward following the theft from a Cranborne site.

Police Community Support Investigator Cheryl Belfield, of East Dorset police, said: “We are continuing to investigate this incident, which was captured on CCTV.

“I appreciate the image is not of the best quality, but I’m hoping it might assist in identifying the offenders.

“I would also urge anyone who witnessed any suspicious activity at the relevant time, or who has come across the items described for sale in unusual circumstances, to please get in touch.”

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 55200014385. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org.