POLICE officers in Dorchester investigating criminal damage are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward.

Between Wednesday, 14 February and Thursday, 15 February, there were six incidents of criminal damage reported in St John Way, Peverell Avenue East and The Great Field in Poundbury.

It is reported that graffiti was sprayed and some of it had a racial or anti-Semitic element.

The 'LovePoundbury' residents' committee issued a statement saying they were 'shocked to see this happen and in particular disturbed by the racist content.'

Police Constable Glen Caddy, of Dorchester Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: "Dorset Police takes hate crime extremely seriously and we are committed to identifying those responsible.

"We are following all available lines of enquiry and would ask anyone who saw what happened, or has information about who was responsible, to please come forward.

"Local officers will be carrying out enquiries in the area and can be approached by anyone while out on patrol with information or concerns."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55240023829.

If you would like to make an anonymous report, you can contact independent charity Crimestoppers on X, formerly Twitter, at @CrimestoppersUK, by visiting their website or by calling 0800 555 111.