CARAVAN thieves left their haul behind after being tracked by the owner of the stolen vehicle.

Police are appealing for information after the incident, which unfolded at around 6.20pm on Monday, January 30.

The caravan was stolen from an address in the Fernhill area, near Charmouth, but the victim was able to locate it.

The white and grey Hobby 645 VIP caravan was stolen from a field where it was being stored.

“It was believed to have been towed away by a dark-coloured Mitsubishi SUV and travelled in the direction of Bridport, before heading from the Crown Roundabout towards Burton Bradstock on the B3157 Coast Road,” a Dorset Police spokesperson said.

“The victim subsequently located the caravan in a field in the Abbotsbury area and the Mitsubishi that had been towing it made off from the scene, leaving the caravan behind.”

PC Dan Goswell added: “We are continuing to investigate this incident and I am keen to hear from anyone who may have witnessed the caravan travelling from the Charmouth area to the Abbotsbury area on the evening of Monday, January 30.

“I would also urge motorists with dashcam who were driving in the vicinity, or homes and businesses along the route with CCTV systems, to review their footage for anything that might assist our enquiries.”

Anyone with information should contact Dorset Police via www.dorset.police.uk/contact or on 101, quoting incident number 55230015656. They can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.