SWEAR words were gouged into the paintwork of cars parked in the West Parley area at the weekend.

Motorists awoke on Sunday morning to discover offenders had scrawled crude language into their parked vehicles, with 12 affected in total.

Officers are now hunting for those responsible, and say more car owners may yet come forward.

All incidents happened overnight between Saturday, October 3 and Sunday, October 4 along Wollaton Road, Henchard Close and Fitzpain Road.

In each of the 12 incidents, words were scratched into the bodywork of the cars by an unknown object.

It is reported that the word 'Pokemon' was etched into one vehicle.

Sergeant Michelle Ford, of Ferndown police, said: “I am appealing to anyone who may have witnessed anything suspicious at the time in the relevant areas to contact me.

“Anyone else who may have discovered damage to their cars in the vicinity should also contact police.

“Witnesses and anyone with information can contact me, in confidence, on 101.”

Witnesses and anyone with information should call Dorset Police in confidence on 101 quoting occurrence number 55150101998. Alternatively, call the free and anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111 where mobile phone tariffs may apply.

In the New Forest, a further 40 vehicles were damaged by unknown offenders in just three hours on Sunday afternoon.