BRIDPORT: Theft from vehicles and criminal damage continues to affect the Bridport area as police again urged motorists against leaving valuables in their cars.

The latest incidents occurred between August 14 and 15, the first involving a yellow van that was broken into while parked overnight in Flaxfield Road, Beaminster. Radio and general construction equipment were stolen.

The second incident, on a van on Flaxfield Road, saw chainsaws and other industrial equipment stolen.

Inspector Mike Darby, Bridport Section Commander, said: “Since the start of August there have been 14 offences of theft from motor vehicles around Bridport town and surrounding villages of Salway Ash, Beaminster and Powerstock. On one evening five vehicles were either damaged or broken into and items stolen. “We are linking these crimes and are conducting house to house enquiries and where appropriate conducting forensic examinations to identify the offenders and arrest them.

“Should anyone know who committed these offences please either contact us at Bridport Police Station on 101 and ask to speak to me or contact Crimestoppers.

“In these instances valuable property was left in the vehicles and subsequently stolen.

“Had the vehicles been empty of items then the owners wouldn’t have been impacted so much by the crime, and indeed the crime may not have occurred in the first place.”

Previously police had said they were investigating thefts from vehicles last week in Bridport, Salway Ash, Beaminster and Powerstock resulting in power tools being taken from two of the vehicles.