NINE rooms at two neighbouring hotels on Weymouth's seafront were targeted by thieves in one evening while guests were out enjoying dinner.
Police said that there were reports of burglaries in seven hotel rooms at the Hotel Prince Regent and in two hotel rooms at the Russell Hotel on Friday night, between 6.30pm and 8pm.
A guest staying at the Hotel Prince Regent said that the burglaries took place whilst guests were away from their rooms and that he himself had had money and a ring stolen while he was having dinner.
He said this was the first time he had come to visit Weymouth after he decided to come for a spur of the moment trip.
Cash and items of jewellery are reported to have been stolen on the night and investigations by police into the burglaries are ongoing.
The two hotels on The Esplanade are next door to each other and are both owned by Bournemouth-based firm Daish’s Holidays.
A spokesman for Dorset Police said: “Dorset Police received a report on Friday 8 October 2021 of burglaries in seven hotel rooms at Hotel Prince Regent on The Esplanade in Weymouth. It was also reported that two rooms were burgled at The Russell Hotel on The Esplanade.
“The incidents occurred between 6.30pm and 8pm on the same day and cash and items of jewellery were stolen.
“Enquiries are ongoing into the incidents. No arrests have been made.”
Cllr Tia Roos, who represents the Melcombe Regis ward, said the burglaries were 'a real shame' and called the thefts 'cruel, invasive and unkind'.
She said: "People are staycationing now more and more often and we need everything to be as good as it can be.
"My condolences not only go out to those gusts but to the hotels who must be feeling very stressed about it and I think they need as much support as possible."
Jon King, head of operations at Daish’s Holidays, said: “We are working closely with the police while they carry out their investigations, and our staff are supporting affected guests.
“We regularly review our security measures to ensure they are as robust as possible. In response to recent events, additional measures have already been implemented to provide reassurance to our guests, and we will continue to carefully monitor the situation.
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