OFFICERS are appealing for witnesses after thugs in balaclavas smashed into a community café.

As reported, a trio of masked men broke into the Hub on the Heath in Adastral Square at around 2.30am on Monday, August 5.

Several items were stolen, including a TV, kitchen scales and a tray of Pepsi, with some items recovered in Culliford Crescent and have been returned to the café.

Café owner Carole Taylor told the Echo the café was set to celebrate its first anniversary next week and the break-in had made her not feel safe.

(Image: Dorset Police)

Police officers investigating the commercial burglary are now appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward, and have released images of men they would like to identify.

Police constable Sean Lederer, of Poole police, said: “This burglary has had a significant impact on the business and staff and we are carrying out enquiries to identify those responsible.

“We have also obtained CCTV images of three men we are trying to identify as part of our investigation.

“While we appreciate their faces are covered and they are not the best quality images, we are hopeful someone may recognise them from their clothing or they may help to jog the memory of anyone who witnessed any suspicious activity in the areas of Adastral Square or Culliford Crescent."

Anyone with information should contact Dorset Police at dorset.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55240119361. Alternatively, independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling Freephone 0800 555 111.