Farm worker attacked and robbed

A Dorset dairy farm worker was attacked by a burglar who then stole farming equipment.

The woman was working at Longmoor Farm, near Gillingham, when she was hit over the head by a man who fled the scene in a van with his accomplice.

The Dorset Police helicopter was called in following the burglary, which happened at about 1330 GMT on Wednesday, to hunt for the burglars.

The 44-year-old victim was treated in hospital for bruising to her face.

Det Con Simon Austin, of Dorset Police's County Division CID, said: "The victim had been looking after a pregnant cow when she noticed a light was on at a nearby workshop.

"As she opened the workshop door she found a man immediately in front of her and this man then struck her across the head with an unknown object.

"The burglar then ran past her, shouted a warning to an accomplice, and then both offenders made their get away in a white Ford Transit style vehicle."