POLICE have warned of an increase in "mindless criminal damage" caused to vehicles in rural East Dorset over the past few weeks.

Officers for the area's neighbourhood policing team say they are facing a rise in such offences as part of a round-up of crime.

In a fortnight, the team dealt with reports of theft, criminal damage and poaching.

On October 30, damage was caused to fences, gates and crops in the Cranborne area by poachers.

The following day, a vehicle in Witchampton was damaged.

Another vehicle was damaged in Holt Road on November 2.

On November 3, would-be thieves attempted to break in to an outbuilding in Witchampton. On the same day, thieves stole items from a vehicle parked in Sturminster Marshall.

On November 4, three vehicles in Horton were damaged by vandals.

Poachers were spotted in Monkton-up-Wimborne on November 7, and motocross bikes were stolen from an address in Horton on November 10.

PCSO Steve Willis said: "We have seen a large rise in recent weeks of mindless criminal damage to motor vehicles across the area."

Anyone who sees a crime in progress should call 999 with as much information as possible.

Other reports can be made via dorset.police.uk, or by calling 101.