STAFF have been left 'devastated' after a burglary at an industrial estate in Dorchester which saw offenders escape with more than £6,000 worth of tools.

Thieves struck at a new construction site on the Railway Triangle Industrial Estate, gaining access to what was a secure building and stealing at least £6,000 worth of equipment.

Staff at the site are now offering a reward of £200 in an effort to track down the offenders and hopefully see the return of their tools.

Ian Simmonds, an electrician working at the premises, said: "We are working on a new build at the estate and we knew immediately when we came to work in the morning that we had been burgled.

"Nothing was damaged but the amount of tools taken was devastating.

"We are trying to do a job here which this has affected.

"I don't think people realise how expensive tools can be.

"Some of the tools are worth a couple of hundred pounds at least. A drill set costs a few hundred.

"I lost about £2,000 worth of tools personally.

"We are really hoping we can rely on someone to come forward with a genuine lead on what happened that night.

"The police have been great. They came down straight away and were very thorough and they have been in regular contact to keep us updated."

Tony Reed, a builder working at the premises said: "It looked as though they opened a window at the back and they used the tools to escape.

"They cut a flap in the fence and bent it up to get out and by the look of it they were parked quite close to the build."

PC Andrea Watson, of Dorchester police, said: "I am appealing to anyone who may have witnessed unusual behaviour in the area at the time to contact me.

"I would also ask for people to remain vigilant and report anything relating to the sale of any tools in the area on 101. All calls will be treated in strict confidence."

The incident happened during the evening of Friday, May 8.

Witnesses and anyone with information should call Dorset Police in confidence on 101 quoting incident number 8:68.

Alternatively, call the free and anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111.