Officers are appealing for witnesses after a building site was broken into two nights in a row in an act of 'mindless vandalism'.

Police were told that an Aldi store at Link Park in Chickerell, which is still being built, had been broken into on consecutive nights and extensive damage had been caused.

The offenders got in through the perimeter fencing around the site and caused damage to machinery and tools as well as the walls of the store, glazing panels, tiles and fittings, police said.

Fire extinguishers were also let off and paint tins were opened and their contents thrown about.

The full extent of the damage is yet to be established, but it is estimated the clear-up and repairs are likely to cost the building firm several thousand pounds.

Security has now been stepped-up on the site and officers have been making a number of enquiries, including visiting local businesses, as part of their investigations.

Steve Wilson, the site manager for the construction, said: “I am rather annoyed and vexed. It’s something for the community, it’s not for mindless idiots. We have got security now which is 24 hours a day, seven days a week until it’s finished.”

He added: “It brings in jobs for the community, so why would they come and trash it when they could get a job here?”

Mr Wilson said that morale among the construction workers had gone down as a result of the damage, but that work has carried on as usual.

He said: “We’ve just got our heads down and kept going.” 

He added that the vandalism would not delay the opening of the new store, which is expected to open its doors around mid-September. 

Police Constable Ryan Lloyd, of Weymouth police, said: “These mindless acts of vandalism will cost the firm involved a considerable amount of money and caused a major inconvenience.

“I would urge any witnesses to the incident, or anyone who has seen any suspicious activity around the site on the nights in question, to please contact me.”

Some of the damage was thought to have been caused on the night of Sunday, July 30, but the majority occurred on the night of Monday, July 31.

Police received a report of the break-ins on the morning of Tuesday, August 1.

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 55170117785

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