A man arrested in connection with a series of disturbing incidents involving animal carcasses left near churches in the New Forest has been released on conditional bail.

The 47-year-old from Totton was arrested on suspicion of multiple counts of criminal damage, including ten charges of religiously aggravated criminal damage, after twelve incidents were reported since November.

These included a deer head left at a church in Lyndhurst and a dead lamb placed outside a church in Totton, as reported by The Daily Echo.

Chief Inspector Scott Johnson, New Forest district commander said: “These disturbing incidents have been upsetting for those who discovered them, and will be concerning for our wider community.”

The man remains on bail until 2nd August as police continue their investigation.