A 41-year-old man has been arrested after several sheep were killed and injured in "occult" attacks in Hampshire.

Police have been investigating a spate of farm animal deaths in the New Forest for several weeks, with some involving Satanic-inspired symbols.

A Hampshire Police spokesman confirmed the arrest of a Winchester man on suspicion of six counts of criminal damage.

Image: The attacks are believed to have been 'occult-inspired'. Pic: Solent News

"They relate to the deaths of sheep in Wittensford Lane and Kewlake Lane, Cadnam, and Penn Road, Bramshaw," the spokesman said.

Police first expressed fears of modern-day Satanists targeting animals in the New Forest in November - though they have not specified which offences they suspect the Winchester man is connected to.


A sheep was found killed and sprayed with occult symbols on 25 November, while several cows were wounded in the woodland in Hampshire.

In early January, police discovered a ewe in Cadnam which had been stabbed to death - with a cross made of hay and a broken pitchfork placed next to it.

A few weeks later, police investigated three more sheep deaths in the area, also with apparent links to the occult.

Dead animals were found between 16 and 20 January.

Image: Some of the dead sheep were found Wittensford Lane in Cadnam

"Targeted patrols of areas in the New Forest will continue," a Hampshire Police spokesman added.

The Commoners' Defence Association represents those who keep animals in the New Forest.

Its chairman, Tony Hockley, said the area had an "historical association with witchcraft".

"Any harm to Commoners' animals is a huge concern," he said.

"The New Forest, like many rural areas, has a historical association with witchcraft so that draws some people and some of the local shops trade on that but it's normally more about fairies."