Industrial sites in Portland and Weymouth have been targeted by a gang of thieves. The remote sites have all been broken into and police believe the three separate incidents to be connected.
At a secure yard in Bumpers Lane, Portland, the gang tried to use a skip lorry to open a skip full of metal. After failing they moved on to Bowers Quarry at Weston and stole tools, rope and diesel. It is suspected that the same group used hydraulic machinery to break into secure cabins at the Chalbury Reservoir off Coombe Valley Road, Preston, where they managed to steal tools and a gas monitor valued at £1,000.
The gang is believed to have been driving a blue Ford Maverick 4x4 vehicle and a red Transit van and may have camped in the area prior to their crime spree.
Sergeant Yvonne Bevan of Weymouth police said: “They deliberately targeted sites that are out of the way so they had plenty of time to get in and steal items. Their vehicles would have been very dirty and I'm appealing to anyone who may have seen them around Weymouth and Portland over the weekend to contact the police. I understand they may have camped on Portland. Do you remember seeing them on the island?”
Witnesses and anyone with information can contact Sgt Bevan in confidence on 01305 222222 or Crimestoppers.
