DORCHESTER Police have issued a warning to metal detectorists about their activites which could lead to injuries for other people.

It came after a report of 'nighthawking' in the Broadmayne area. The holes left in the ground could result in horses that are in the field to become lame.

Nighthawking is the illegal search for and removal of antiquities from the ground using metal detectors, without the permission of the landowners, or on prohibited land such as Scheduled Monuments.

One of the holes left in the Broadmayne area

A police statement says: "Nighthawking is therefore theft. Nighthawks are not to be confused with responsible metal detectorists.

"If you are metal detecting in an area, you must obtain permission from the landowner before using a metal detector.

"This includes land to which the public have rights of access such as beaches, footpaths, or council-owned land."