POLICE officers raided an address in the New Forest following reports of animal offences.

Police have been investigating a series of incidents involving reported cruelty to deer and hares in Dorset, as well as other offences.

Hampshire and Dorset police carried out enquiries on the morning of Monday, October 3, in relation to this investigation.

A 23-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of eight counts of animal cruelty, two offences of killing or injuring a deer, criminal damage to crops, three counts of assisting an offender, driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence and conspiracy to steal.

A dog, which is believed to have been used in poaching-related offences, was seized from the address as well as further items.

Enquiries are ongoing to locate two further individuals believed to be linked to the incidents.

Inspector Richard Jeffrey, of Dorset Police’s Rural Crime Team, said: “We take reports of cruelty to animals very seriously and we have demonstrated how we will work with other forces to take a positive response.

“We will continue to work with our rural communities to investigate incidents of this nature and value the information and support they provide.”