POLICE have warned of a spate of burglaries in Dorchester which are believed to have been committed by the same person.

Residents have been told to remain vigilant, while officers have launched an investigation to find the suspect.

The most recent incident happened sometime between 11pm on Monday, February 18 and 7am on Tuesday, February 19. A burglar broke into a property on Herringston Road via an insecure door, and stole two laptops, two cameras and a wallet.

A second burglary was reported to have occurred between 1am and 7am in Dagmar Road on Friday, February 15. The occupants woke to discover the front door open and that a purse containing cash and bank cards was stolen.

A third burglary occurred sometime between 11pm on Tuesday, February 12 and 7am on Wednesday, February 13 in Dagmar Road. Entry was gained to the property through an insecure door and two mobile phones were stolen from a handbag.

A forth was reported to have occurred between 10.20pm on Monday, February 11 and 7.30am on Tuesday, February 12 in Peverell Avenue East in Poundbury while the occupants were asleep upstairs. One of the victims, a man aged in his 70s, came down in the morning to find the front door unlocked and a number of items missing including an iPad Mini, an iPhone 5S, a blue canvas bag, an Apple MacBook Pro, an older Apple laptop and three Berghaus jackets.

Dorchester Neighbourhood Police Inspector Darren Stanton said: “We believe these offences may have been committed by the same person and a thorough and detailed investigation is underway to identify the offender.

“I would like to remind residents to remember to lock their doors and windows at night to ensure they do not become the victim of an opportunist crime. There are a number of simple steps you can take to protect your home and anyone wishing advice can either contact their local neighbourhood policing team or visit www.dorset.police.uk/help-advice-crime-prevention/home-property-belongings/protect-your-home/.

“I would urge anyone who sees suspicious activity in the early hours of the morning in the Dorchester area to please call Dorset Police on 999.

“Officers from the local neighbourhood policing team will be carrying out additional patrols and can be approached with any community concerns.”

Anyone with information about these burglaries 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 55190025538. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org.