RAIDERS smashed into the front doors of a hairdressers in Canford Heath in the early hours of Friday morning, causing thousands of pounds worth of damage and stealing a small amount of cash.

The offenders drove a BMW into the front of Joanne Hairdressing salon in Culliford Crescent, Poole.

They left the scene with a handful of cash. It is not yet know how much was taken.

Ross Long, owner of the Salon, told the Echo that the shop alarm was set off at around 3.30am on September 20.

Mr Long said: “Two guys were seen running around the shop on the CCTV and have caused a lot of damage.

“They haven’t taken any equipment at all but they seem to know what they were after, which was cash.

“Fortunately, we don’t keep much here.”

The ram-raiders completely caved in in the front door and caused further damage to the side panel windows.

Talking about the damage cost, Mr Long said: “Value-wise it might be around £4,000 which seems like huge aggravation for the amount we think they have taken.”

“The most important thing is that no one was hurt, but it is just very annoying and inconvenient.”

He added: “I have CCTV and an alarm system; I don’t really want to have to put shutters in but I know the other businesses around here have felt like they have to.

“In 35 years of the salon being here, I have only ever had two windows smashed and one other break in years ago, but normally I am very happy here, it is a nice place to be.”

Some of the neighbouring shops voiced concern for their own businesses after the incident.

Onder Ekinci, who works at his family’s business, Kingfisher Fish and Chips, four doors down from the salon, said: “After that incident, I am now very worried.

“It could have been any of the shops here and I am upset that it has happened to one of our neighbours.

“We are lucky it wasn’t us.”

A spokesperson from Dorset Police said: “Officers were called at 4.05am on Friday, September 20 to a report of a burglary at Joanne Hairdressing salon on Culliford Crescent in Poole.

“It is reported that damage was caused to the front doors of the shop by a vehicle.

“A small amount of cash was stolen.

“An investigation is underway to identify the offenders. No arrests have been made.”

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101.