A Totton man has been arrested after a spate of animal carcasses were left outside churches in the New Forest.

Police said they have received reports of 12 incidents since November where the carcasses of lambs and deer have been left in locations around the forest.

The most recent report was of a dead lamb on Pound Lane, Colbury, on Wednesday, April 30.

These incidents occurred in close proximity to churches in Totton, Bramshaw, and Lyndhurst.

On Friday, May 2, a 47-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of two counts of criminal damage and ten counts of religiously aggravated criminal damage.

READ MORE: Anwar Ashraf appears in court after stabbing at Whiteley offices

He remains in police custody at this time.

Incidents include a deer head left at the church in Lyndhurst, a dead lamb located outside a church in Totton and dead deer by a road sign in Totton.

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

"Our investigation team have been working hard to review all the available evidence and this has enabled us to make an arrest today as part of our enquiries.

"We have been conducting both uniformed and plain clothes patrols and enquiries, and this will continue in the coming days, particularly in areas where incidents have occurred.

"If you see our officers while on their travels, please come over and speak to them.

"They’ll be on hand for you to share any information, raise any concerns and ask questions."