A man has been arrested after a tractor, other machinery and power tools have been stolen from a Dorset nature reserve.

Between around 9pm on Thursday, September 22 and 1am on Friday, September 23 three containers were forced open at the Blue Pool in Furzebrook Road near Stoborough, Wareham.

A Kubota RTV-X1140 utility vehicle and a Kubota tractor were stolen, together with a number of chainsaws and power cutters.

Rural crime officers are appealing for anyone with information to come forward following the reported theft of plant machinery and power tools near Wareham.

The stolen items were found hidden on heathland a short distance from the pool the following day.

Following enquiries by officers from Dorset Police’s Rural Crime Team, a 28-year-old Wareham man was arrested on suspicion of burglary and theft. He has been released under investigation.

Police Constable Kate Schofield, of the Rural Crime Team, said: “We recognise the impact of reported offences of this nature on businesses in our rural areas and we are continuing to carry out a thorough investigation into this matter.

“I would like to hear from anyone who witnessed any suspicious vehicle movements or other activity in the area on the night of the incident and I would also urge anyone who was driving in the vicinity to please check dashcam footage for anything that might assist our investigation.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at dorset.police.uk/contact or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55220155289.

Alternatively, independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling Freephone 0800 555 111.