More than seventy cars were damaged in less than an hour in Winton on Saturday, police say.

Police say 71 vehicles parked in Somerley Road, Markham Road, Bemister Road, Luther Road, Ripon Road and Green Road were damaged between 4am and 5am.

In the majority of cases wing mirrors had been smashed with an unknown object.

Detective Inspector Joan Carmichael, of Bournemouth CID, said: “I would like to hear from anyone who discovered their vehicles damaged in the Charminster area and has not yet reported it.

“Also I would appeal to anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area around the relevant time or who has found a discarded object near their property, which could have been used to cause the damage.

“All calls will be treated in the strictest confidence.”

A 25-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and has been released on police bail until early next year pending further enquiries.

Resident Megan Miarowksa, 21, said that her Ford KA was one of the cars involved. She said: "I always fold in the wing mirror, but I didn't last night.

"I was fuming. I cried. Leaving it outside of your home, you don't expect this to happen. It has made me wary of where I will park my car in future."