Police investigate after dead lamb hung from St Theresa’s Church on Commercial Road, Totton, and another left on road sign on Penn Common, Bramshaw

Dead lambs have been found hung from the side of a church and on a road sign on the same day in different parts of the New Forest.

The first incident was at St Theresa’s Church on Commercial Road in Totton yesterday (Monday) morning, and the second was found on Penn Common, Bramshaw, later that evening.

Police say they are stepping up patrols in both areas and carrying out enquiries, with witnesses urged to contact them.

One resident took to social media to share his shock at the Totton incident, adding it must have been left by “sick twisted Satanists”. Another added: “That is absolutely vile”.

A spokesperson for Hampshire police confirmed it received a report of a dead lamb at the church at around 7.30am on Monday, which was believed left “at some point during the morning”.

Sergeant Rob Blake, of Totton & New Forest Heart Neighbourhood Policing Team, added: “We understand the concern that incidents such as this one can cause within the local community.

“I’d like to reassure the community that officers have been carrying out enquiries and patrols in the area since the report was made to us, and will continue to do so.”

He added: “While we investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident, we’d appeal to anyone with any information to get in touch with us.

“Also, if you have any footage of anything suspicious in the area, including dash cam, doorbell camera or any other CCTV, please contact us.

“We will be sure to update you all further as and when we are able to. In the meantime, if you see our officers out and about and have any concerns or questions, please come over and speak to them.”

Hampshire police confirmed a dead lamb was also found at St Peter’s Church, on Judds Hill, Bramshaw, at 7pm on Monday 14th April.

The incident in Bramshaw was blasted by New Forest Commoners Defence Association chairman, Andrew Parry-Norton, who said the lamb had its throat slit before being placed on the sign.

He told the A&T he received a call after it was discovered on Monday evening to enquire if it was one of his lambs, adding it belonged to an association member. He then reported it to the police.

“This happens every year and they need to be dealt with – this person needs to be stopped. It is absolutely sick.”

Asked who he thought was behind it, Mr Parry-Norton added: “I think it is someone who gets some sort of kick out of it. I’ve got friends who are Pagans who completely condemn this sort of thing. I think it is someone who needs help and needs to be stopped.”

As reported in the A&T, in February the church was previously targeted in February when a severed deer’s head was left alongside an upturned cross.

Incidents involving animal carcasses left at churches across the New Forest have previously occurred in Lyndhurst as well.

In January a mum taking her children to school was forced to step around pools of blood after a severed head was left at St Michael and All Angels Church on Lyndhurst High Street.

The church was also targeted in 2021 when a deer’s head was again left in the porch.

While last May, Mr Andrew Parry-Norton found a flock of his sheep mutilated in Cadnam – which he described as “horrific” and “devastating”.

In May 2023 commoner Patrick Langdown told the A&T he feared occult-style animal killings had returned to the area after one of his lambs was found dumped and with its throat slit at Long Cross Pond, near Fritham.

In January of 2023 animal entrails – thought to include hearts – surrounded by a circle of 30 candles were arranged at the top of a trig point of Stagbury Hill, near Bramshaw.

In December 2022, Bramshaw vicar the Rev David Bacon warned locals to stay vigilant after a dead cat and fox were left at the 12th century St Peter’s Church, on Judds Hill.

In 2019 vandals also sprayed the church walls with phallic and Satanic symbols.

Later that year police launched an investigation after sheep and cattle were found stabbed and sprayed with markings in the space of five days within a few miles of each other in the Bramshaw area.

The A&T has contacted St Theresa’s Church for comment.

Anyone who witnessed the incident on Monday is urged to call 101 and quote incident number 44250183186 or report online at hampshire.police.uk

Crimestoppers can also be contacted anonymously via crimestoppers-uk.org or on 0800 555111.