AN INVESTIGATION has been launched by police after a driver had a lucky escape from a missile thrown at their car while travelling along a dual carriageway.

An object, identified as either a rock or brick, was thrown from a bridge at the vehicle as it was on the Dorset Way on Sunday afternoon.

The missile hit the windscreen and caused enough damage for it to be replaced.

Officers are appealing for witnesses to come forward after the incident, which took place at around 1.50pm.

The victim, a local woman, was driving her Ford Focus along Dorset Way near to English Ford when a rock or brick was thrown from the pedestrian bridge above.

The offender is described as tall, of medium build and with light brown hair. He was wearing grey tracksuit bottoms and a white top.

The bridge in question was caged off by the council many years ago after a series of incidents involving objects being thrown at vehicles.

PC Ben King, of Poole police, said: “This was a reckless and very dangerous incident and it is nothing but sheer luck that no one was injured or killed.

“I am appealing to anyone who was either near the footbridge or

travelling along Dorset Way at the relevant time and saw anything suspicious to please contact Dorset Police.

“I am particularly keen to hear from anyone who may have captured the offender or incident on dashcam.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police quoting occurrence number 55190087140 or alternatively contact Crimestoppers anonymously.

Both bridges over the stretch of the Dorset Way became caged after a spate of incidents. Initially the bridge near Mannings Heath roundabout was subject to being enclosed in 2005 before the same was done to the crossing near Tower Park roundabout.

These schemes saw a significant decline in the number of incidents and it had been believed that the issue had been addressed.

Canford Heath ward councillor Sandra Moore, left, said she was shocked to discover the incident had occurred after the measures taken by the council to prevent objects from being thrown.

“Both bridges are completely covered,” Cllr Moore said. “In the past things were thrown off so the council acted to get them covered.

“It is a really dangerous act. I really want to find out how it happened so we can make sure it does not even happen again.

“Caging was a big job and we thought that had put a stop to it. It’s awful. I will be contacting police and ensure the council are aware.”

As reported by the Daily Echo earlier this year, a boulder was suspended from the footbridge over the train track at Hinton Admiral railway station.