POLICE are hunting two masked men being linked to a number of burglaries and attempted burglaries in West Dorset – including an altercation with one person who confronted them.

The first incident was reported at 10.17pm on Monday (January 6), when officers received a report of suspicious activity outside a property in Tower Hill, Netherbury.

“It was reported that two men wearing face coverings approached the property before shortly leaving the area,” a Dorset Police spokesperson said.

Around two hours later – at 12.11am on Tuesday (January 7) – officers received a report of two men of the same description attempting to break into the garage of a property in the South Bowood area of Bridport. No items were reported as stolen.

Later, at 1.35am, another report came in of the attempted burglary of a garage at an address in the Marshwood area.

“It was reported that the padlock to the garage was damaged and the occupant of the address challenged two people at the scene,” the spokesperson went on.

“An altercation ensued in which the victim – a man in his 50s – sustained a minor injury to his back before the two men made off from the scene.

“The victim did not require hospital treatment. No items were reported as stolen.”

Finally, police received a further report on Wednesday (January 8) that at around 10.30pm on Monday, entry was gained to the outbuilding of a property in the Netherbury area of Bridport.

“It is reported that several Stihl power tools – including a hedge trimmer, strimmer and blower – were stolen,” the spokesperson added.

One of the suspects is described as a young man five feet seven inches tall and wearing a dark hooded top, a dark-green snood and a beanie hat. The second suspect is believed to be a much older man.

It is believed the offenders were driving a silver Ford Mondeo estate.

Police Sergeant Andrew Jenkins, of Dorset Police, said: “An investigation is ongoing to understand the full circumstances of what occurred that night. The incidents are being treated as linked and I am appealing to anyone with information that might assist our enquiries to please come forward.

“I would ask anyone who has come across any power tools matching the description above being sold under suspicious circumstances to please contact us.

“Lastly, I would also urge that any residents with doorbell or home CCTV cameras, or any motorists driving in the areas at the time with dashcams fitted, to please review their footage to see if they have captured anything of relevance.”

Anyone with information should contact Dorset Police via www.dorset.police.uk, or by calling 101, quoting incident number 55250002574. They can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling 0800 555 111.