Thieves raid County Tile Warehouse, Dorchester (From Dorset Echo)

Thieves raid County Tile Warehouse, Dorchester

9:00am Wednesday 17th March 2010 in Local News By Harry Hogger

A NEWLY refurbished Dorchester tile shop was targeted by thieves who forced entry and made off with hundreds of pounds.

County Tile Warehouse at the Marabout Industrial Estate was hit in an overnight raid that has left its boss counting the cost.

Inspector Les Fry of Dorchester Police said entry to the premises was forced by removing a panel of glass from the front door and cash was stolen from the office.

Police are now appealing for witnesses to the incident on Friday night. Company director Robin Ives said staff had set the shop alarm and left the premises secure when they closed the store for the day.

He said: “It was locked up overnight and when we came in to open up the following morning we discovered somebody had broken in.

“A pane of glass was removed from the front door and they somehow managed to make it through the shop without setting off the alarm system.”

Mr Ives said that, as well as having money stolen, the company also faced the inconvenience and cost of repairing the damage caused.

He said: “It was cash from the float that was taken – about £300.

“But it’s not just the cash, it’s the cost of the repair and everything that will amount to.

“We are waiting to have to get the door fixed and we will have the alarm system reviewed to prevent another occurrence.

“We have only recently refurbished the shop and reopened it in January so it’s a bit of a blow to have to go through this and have to do more repairs.”

Shop manager Nick Adair said: “One of my colleagues discovered it, she came in two or three minutes before I arrived. It was definitely locked up with the alarm set and everything else.

“It was a bit of an inconvenience when we came to open the shop the next day because we couldn’t really let anybody in until the crime scene investigation team had come in.”

Mr Ives backed the police appeal for witnesses, urging anyone who might have seen or heard anything to get in touch.

He said: “If anyone has seen anything or has any information then it would be gratefully received.”

Contact PC Ryan Dunkerley on 01305 222222.