A COUPLE have made a plea for information after their car was broken into and personal items were stolen.

Nigel Hares, aged 71, and his wife Tania, aged 65, had parked on Alington Avenue, Dorchester near Max Gate to walk into town.  

When they returned, they found that the rear window of the car had been smashed and personal possessions taken.

Amongst these belongings were Mrs Hares' A2 art portfolio for her course at Arts University Bournemouth. A Chromebook laptop and charm bracelet were also stolen.

Mr Hares said: “We are disappointed that they took belongings that would have no value to anybody other than my wife because the contents are all the personal drawings and paintings that she’s done.

“I feel very upset and quite shocked to be honest.

"My wife is almost traumatised as you don’t expect it to happen to you. It’s like a violation of privacy I suppose.”

Police officers received a report at 2.19pm on Friday, November 24 that a vehicle had been broken into in and a number of items had been stolen.  They have been carrying out enquires but, as of yet, no arrests have been made.

Mrs Hares has expressed her shock and devastation over having her artwork stolen as not only did it represent all her effort, but she says it was a very 'intimate and unique form of expression' for her.

She said: “I put a lot of myself into it. It was something I did for my wellbeing, and I really enjoyed it.

"It’s always been something I wanted to do. The artwork you produce is very personal and a lot of work has gone into it.

“I feel great disappointment because I know it doesn’t mean anything to whoever’s taken it. It’s probably in a ditch somewhere.

“I’d ask whoever has taken it to please return it because it doesn’t mean anything to you, but it means an awful lot to me.

"It hasn’t taken me to a very good place. It would make me believe in human kindness again if they returned it.”

The couple have asked that anyone with any information please contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk or on 101 quoting crime reference number DOR-20231124-0346.