POLICE are appealing for witnesses after two charity shops and a number of businesses were targeted in raids in Dorchester.

Overnight on Sunday, the rear access door at Weldmar in Trinity Street was wrenched open and approximately £170 was stolen.

Police are investigating whether the raid is linked to other recent burglaries which all occurred overnight.

Age Concern along Prince of Wales Road was targeted on November 4, Setyres and Exhaust Centre along Maumbury Road on November 6 and Lees Engineering at Railway Triangle on November 9.

A quantity of cash was taken in all instances.

Dorchester Neighbourhood Inspector Steve Marsh, said: “I am appealing to anyone who may have information or knows who is responsible for these offences to please contact me.

“I would also ask that the public to remain vigilant and report anything suspicious to police on 101.

“All calls will be treated in strict confidence.”

Witnesses and anyone with information should call Dorset Police in confidence on 101 quoting incident number 4:55. Alternatively, call the free and anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111 where mobile phone tariffs may apply.

Lyn Hossack, Weldmar shop manager, said: “The intruders haven’t just taken much needed funds from Weldmar, but have caused a great deal of damage – damage which will take a lot of staff and volunteer time, and valuable funds, to repair. Donations made by the kind-hearted Dorset public have also been damaged and strewn around the storage area.”

Alison Ryan, Weldmar’s chief executive, said: “We would like to apologise to all the members of our public that tried to visit the Dorchester shop on Monday. We worked hard to ensure that the shop could open as soon as possible – and would like to thank all our supporters for their understanding. If you have any information about this break in or the previous attacks on our Trinity Street Shop, we would plead with you to contact Dorchester Police by calling 101 or ring Crimestoppers on 0800 555111”.