Police investigate rabbit rescue centre burglary

Police are investigating a reported burglary at a newly-opened rabbit rescue centre.

A set of tools were stolen from a garage on Thursday, according to Radipole Rabbit Rescue in Weymouth.

The centre said police had declined to investigate as the location was an outbuilding and not attached to a home.

However, Dorset Police said it was "continuing to explore available lines of inquiry".

Kate Moore from the centre said the Ryobi tools that were stolen had been accumulated over the last decade.

She said they had been used to create runs, ramps and raffle gifts for the 23 rabbits looked after since the centre opened in May.

Mrs Moore said: "I received a call from Dorset Police on Friday morning.

"I was informed that, despite it being a high-value theft, because the garage isn't attached to my home, it is deemed an "outbuilding" and that the police don't have the resources to investigate."

She started her own investigation and discovered another break-in at a neighbour's garage in Manor Road, as well as witnesses who saw men and a van.

Mrs Moore informed the police and said she was waiting to hear back.

In a statement, Dorset Police said it was investigating a reported break-in in Mount Pleasant Avenue and no arrests had been made.

The force added: "We have to prioritise attendance at incidents based on an assessment of threat, risk, harm and vulnerability as well as available resources.

"Where appropriate we will ask members of the public to assist by providing material that captures lines of inquiry for us to investigate."