Dorset Police Rural Crime Team is warning residents about a white van whose occupants have been seen acting suspiciously around south and west Dorset over the last couple of days.

The vehicle is a white Ford Transit Tipper Van with the registration number LK**FHV.

The occupants of this vehicle have been seen acting suspiciously near farms and other rural premises. When approached the people in the van state they are looking for work.

A spokesman for Dorset Police said: "We have the full registration of this vehicle and the reason we’re sending out this alert is to see if anyone else has seen this vehicle and to encourage other people to be on the lookout for it and report it if seen to Dorset Police immediately.

"If this vehicle or other vehicles are seen acting suspiciously, please gather as much information as possible such as the registration number and descriptions of the driver and any passengers and please contact Dorset Police immediately by calling 999 if the vehicle or occupants are seen committing crime.

"For non-emergency call 101 or at www.dorset.police.uk, via email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk."

Police are advising people to not use social media to report crimes or incidents.