POLICE are hunting a teenage girl who may be a vital witness after a householder was attacked when after he confronted youths vandalising his front fence.

Police say the the girl did not take part in the incident but was in the area at the time.

They are now appealing for her to come forward to help in their investigations.

It comes after a 64-year-old man was the victim of a "vicious attack" when he  approached the youths who were damaging the fence at his home in Pennington, near Lymington.

Now police are appealing for witnesses to the incident which happened sometime between 9.20 and 9.50pm on Friday in Wainsford Close.

The youths turned on the man and got him to the ground before kicking and punched him repeatedly and throwing a bike at him.

The victim managed to retreat into his house and call police.

However as he was doing so they smashed a window to his house using a garden ornament and vandalised his cars.

Detective Constable Emma Cooke who is investigating said: "The victim was viciously attacked along with his property and we want to find those responsible as soon as possible.

"I'd urge anyone with information about the crime or who witnessed it to call the Western Investigation team on on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

"Officers will also be carrying out regular patrols in the area to offer local people reassurance"

Three boys two aged 16 and one aged 17, one from Southampton and two from Pennington were  arrested in connection with the investigation.

They were arrested on suspicion of GBH and criminal damage.

The youths have now been released from custody under investigation.