ANTIQUE silverware which was stolen from a Dorset hotel in a "shocking" burglary is worth more than £25,000.

Hooded burglars were said to have raided the Eastbury Hotel on Long Street, Sherborne at around 1.15am on Monday, May 24.

A sash window to the library room was found to be forced open and two sets of antique silverware stolen. The first is of an octagonal design with the second set being oval.

READ MORE: Burglars raid Eastbury Hotel, Sherborne

Ms Wells said: "He [the night porter] went and checked the room and they had rammed the chair at the back of the door and the window was left open."

She called the burglary a "shocking incident" and said the the owners of the hotel were very upset about the theft.

She said: "The silverware has been in the family for generations and is worth more than £25,000.

"I have been here for nine years and we have never had anything like this happen at the hotel – it is a bit of a shock to the system."

The day before the burglary Ms Wells said two men had come into the hotel on separate occasions asking to look around the premises late at night.

She said: "They wanted to look around the hotel. I thought it was a bit peculiar and I said no.

"It seemed a weird coincidence."

Images of the stolen goods have been released and police are appealing for anyone with any information to come forward.

Police said all three, which were assumed to be male, have been described as approximately 5ft 9ins tall and wearing dark hooded tops.

Police Constable Nathan Boissé, of Dorset Police, said: “These sets have been in the family for many years and are of both sentimental and significant monetary value.

“I would urge anyone who may have seen three people matching the description in the area and the relevant time to contact us.

“Also, I am keen to hear from anyone who has been offered silverware matching the items shown or seen them advertised for sale.

“We would be grateful if anyone with CCTV around Long Street could check their CCTV to see if they have captured anything that might assist our investigation.

“Furthermore, I am interested to speak with two men who came into the hotel after 9pm on Sunday 23 May 2021 and asked to look around the grounds. A white man came to the front desk asking about a wedding party at the hotel and wanted to look around. Shortly afterwards a man of Asian appearance came from the garden area and enquired about a room before asking to look around the hotel. Both men had their requests declined and left.”

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 55210081561. Alternatively, to stay 100 per cent anonymous, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or call freephone 0800 555 111.

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