BURGLARS stole cigarettes and alcohol and tried to take scratchcards from an east Dorset shop.

Raiders targeted the Spar shop, in Station Road, Sturminster Marshall, at around 1.30am on Saturday, January 6.

After forcing their way in and takign the goods, the suspects left the scene in a dark-coloured hatchback, believed to be a Ford Fiesta, heading toward the A31.

PC Rhianna Sly, of East Dorset police, said: “We are carrying out a detailed investigation into this burglary and have obtained CCTV images of three suspects we are looking to identify.

“I appreciate their faces are covered but it may be someone can recognise them from their general build and clothing, or it may help to jog the memory of anyone who witnessed any suspicious activity in the area.

“I would urge anyone with information that might assist our enquiries to please contact us.”

Anyone with information should contact Dorset Police via www.dorset.police.uk, or by calling 101, quoting incident number 55240002694. They can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling 0800 555 111.