A MAN was threatened with a crowbar and tied up during an aggravated burglary in Bridport.

Police are appealing for information after cash was stolen from the Bridport and West Dorset Golf Club, Burton Road, between 8pm and 11pm on Sunday.

A member of staff, a man in his 20s, was closing up the premises when he was approached in the car park by the suspect - who was wearing dark clothing. The man, armed with a crowbar, asked the staff member to re-open the clubhouse. The thief then went to the safe and stole an amount of cash.

Before leaving the club, the suspect tied up the staff member by binding him by his hands and feet. The victim was able to alert his friends, who contacted the police.

Bridport police inspector Mike Darby said: "This is quite an unusual type of offence to take place in Bridport.

"I have not heard of one of these taking place before in our town. Clearly we are very keen to locate the offender and would urge anybody who may have witnessed anything on that evening or knows any details of who was involved to contact us as a matter of urgency."

The secretary of Bridport Golf Club told The News he believes the aggravated burglary is the only incident of its kind in the club's history.

Secretary Roy Wilson, said: "I am not going to enlarge on what the police have said as it's an ongoing investigation.

"I have had very little contact with the member of staff since the incident.

"It is the first incident of this sort since the clubhouse has been in its current location - possibly in the history of the club."

A club member who did not want to be named, said: "I was one of the last people to come in on the night it happened.

"I think there was only a young lad there on his own. It's such a terrible thing to go through."

The victim is helping police as they continue to investigate the incident.

Detective Constable Andy Stitfall, of Weymouth CID, said: “This was an extremely distressing incident for the victim and he is currently helping officers piece together the events from that evening.

“I urge members of the public who may have seen anyone acting suspiciously in the area at the time of the incident or who may have seen a vehicle leaving the location in an unusual manner to contact me on 101.

“All calls will be treated in strict confidence.”