A man has been arrested today following a police pursuit after a spate of burglaries in north Dorset.

As previously reported, a number of burglaries have been reported in the last week in the Shaftesbury area.

During the early hours of Saturday, December 14 it was reported that car keys and two laptops were stolen from a home in Wincombe Lane.

The victim’s bank card was also reportedly taken and subsequently used to withdraw £250 in cash.

At 3.50pm the following day an alleged burglary occurred at the Spar store in Mampitts Lane, with keys stolen from a storage area.

A further report was received that at 9.55pm on Sunday, December 15 an intruder had entered a property in Ivy Crofts Road but was chased out of the premises when challenged by the occupants.

Just after 7am on Monday, December 16 Dorset Police received a report of a burglary at an address in Gower Road. It was reported that during the previous night entry had been gained to the property and Christmas presents were taken from under the tree. Other items were also reported stolen from the address.

At 6.30am on Tuesday, December 17 a further burglary was reported at Shortedge in Sturminster Newton, with a number of items stolen from the property. Following a police pursuit later that morning, a 30-year-old local man was arrested on suspicion of burglary. He is currently assisting officers with their enquiries.