THIEVES made off with an estimated £50,000-worth of specialist tattooing equipment from a newly opened parlour.

The Tattoo Studio, which had only just moved to its new location, was one of three units broken into at the Woolbridge Business Centre, close to the level crossing in Wool.

Police say thieves forced entry to the units at around 9.45pm.

Alex Mckay, owner of the studio, said equipment, including needles, guns and ink, worth £15,000 was taken in the burglary.

In addition, hundreds of sheets of artwork, worth about £25 each, were also stolen.

Mr Mckay, 36, said because of the specific nature of what was taken from his parlour, he believed it may have been a targeted theft.

He said: "If they were just opportunists they would have just taken our flat-screen TVs and computers.

"But they stopped to steal anything to do with tattooing as well - they cleared us out."

Mr Mckay said although all his designs were on the computers that were taken, he did have hard copies of the artwork. He said he intends to have "90 per cent" of his business up and running again by the end of the week.

Mr Mckay is a staff sergeant based at Lulworth Camp and set up the business in time for when he leaves the services next year.

Items were also stolen from another one of the units broken into on Monday night, and police are appealing for anyone who witnessed any suspicious activity or vehicles at the centre to contact them.

They would also like to hear from anyone who has been offered specialist tattooing equipment.

Call Dorset Police on 01202 222222 or the Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111.