VANDALS have targeted a Hampshire pumpkin farm just days after it opened for the build-up to Halloween.

The hooligans struck at the family-run Fordingbridge Pumpkin Pastures, smashing half a dozen pumpkins and ripping the arm off a mannequin dressed as a witch.

The farm, just off the A338 Ringwood Road, was hit by a theft after opening to visitors for the Halloween season last year.

Now the pick-your-own site has been hit again.

Fordingbridge Pumpkin Pastures is run by Dan Burden and his wife Sam. Writing on social media they said: “We now have cameras down there so if they come back they’ll be caught.”

Daily Echo:

They described the vandalism as “very annoying and sad for the kids”.

But the farm will be open to the public this weekend and every day from October 23 until October 31.

One of the people who took to social media to condemn the damage said: “I’m so sad to hear of this mindless vandalism. My grandson has been telling me about your pumpkins and how he couldn’t wait to get there.”

The incident has fuelled concern about anti-social behaviour in Fordingbridge.

Describing the people responsible for destroying the pumpkins as “idiots”, one woman posted: “Too much vandalism happening in the town.

“I’m sure the police have an idea who it is but until they are caught in the area the police are powerless.”

A police spokesman said: “We received a report about damage caused at the site of a pick-your-own pumpkin event. Damage was caused to a mannequin, a Portaloo and some pumpkins.”

Last year thieves upset children at Beaulieu Village Primary School by stealing almost 20 pumpkins and squashes they had been growing for their Harvest Festival.

Anyone with information about the Fordingbridge incident can contact Hampshire police on 101, quoting 44190368776.