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 in just three hours.

Police have called for those with information to come forward following the spate of criminal damage, which saw all affected vehicles damaged between 3.40pm and 6.40pm on Sunday afternoon.

It is believed the suspects were travelling in a green Seat people carrier firing catapults at parked cars.

The vehicles targeted were in Grateley, Nether Wallop, Timsbury, Furzley, Bramshaw, Brook, Poulner and Picket Post.

Officers from Hampshire Constabulary, working with colleagues from Dorset Police and the National Police Air Service, arrested seven people on suspicion of conspiracy to commit criminal damage.

Detective Inspector Amanda Horsburgh has said: “There are a significant number of enquiries to be conducted due to the sheer volume of cars damaged. So far we have established in excess of 40 offences.

“We are urging anyone who saw any of these incidents occurring to get in contact with us.

"Perhaps you saw a group in a green people carrier in these areas at around this time?

"Or maybe your car was damaged and you haven’t reported it yet?

"We would really like to hear from you. Please get in contact via 101 quoting 44150344762.”

Among the persons arrested were four boys aged between 13 and 16 and three men aged between 19 and 39. All seven have been released on bail this afternoon until January 11 2016 pending further enquiries.