Threatening letters have been sent to childminders across parts of Dorset.

Police have launched an investigation after several reports of the letters, and are issuing advice to the public.

The letters were received by registered childminders working in East and North Dorset in the post on Saturday from the same named individual who states they wish to work with them.

The wording is described as "distressing and threatening". 

Detective Constable Nick Hodge, of Weymouth CID, said: “The words contained within this letter have caused a great deal of distress to those who have received it.

“From our enquiries we are satisfied the person purported to have sent the letters is not responsible. We are therefore treating this as a malicious communications series.

“We are taking this extremely seriously and a thorough investigation to identify the person responsible for sending these letters is now underway.

“I would urge anyone who has received one of these threatening letters, and has not yet spoken to the police, to please make contact urgently.

“Finally, I would ask anyone who knows who may be responsible for sending these letters to please come forward.”