A 17-year-old boy from Verwood who was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and inflicting unnecessary suffering to an animal has been released under investigation while enquiries continue.

It is reported that between 7pm on Sunday 17 July and 6.15am on Monday 18 July a vehicle entered a field in the area of Tollard Royal and killed 14 sheep and lambs.

As part of the investigation, on Wednesday 20 July a red Ford Focus MK1 was located burnt out in the Tidpit area of Hampshire.

Police Sergeant Lee Turner, of the Rural Crime Team, said: “Our enquiries are continuing into this incident and I am appealing to anyone who saw a red Ford Focus in unusual circumstances in Tidpit and surrounding areas to please come forward.

“I would also urge any member of the public with information to help our enquiries to please contact Dorset Police.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk/contact, via email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55220115601. Alternatively, independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling Freephone 0800 555 111.