Ball bearings and pheasants found in abandoned car in Downton

Police officers were out on patrol when their attention was drawn to a silver Jeep on Wick Lane, Downton.

The officers wanted to speak with the driver, temporarily losing sight of the vehicle as it turned into Mesh Pond where the officers found the car abandoned at the side of the road with the passenger door open.

On searching the vehicle, they located a mobile phone, cash and a bank card, along with ball bearings and pheasants.

Evidence found insider the car. Picture from Salisbury Police Facebook page

The owner of the vehicle (which is registered to an address in Fordingbridge) then arrived "having been called to say that his car, having been driven by an unnamed friend, had broken down".

Police say the officers "refused to believe that the driver had trade insurance as he was unable to name him".

The car had no insurance, so it and the evidence inside it was seized while the police conduct further enquiries.

Inspector Pete Sparrow said: "This is an example of the routine disruption work that my officers do on a daily basis, which I’m pleased to share with you. We recognise that rural areas need communities to work closely with the Police to help identify and address those selfish individuals who believe they have the right to commit rural crime.

"We will continue to focus on this area and take robust action on every occasion we can in order to prevent, reduce, disrupt or detect crime and welcome any information that can assist us in helping keep our communities safe.”

If anyone saw this car being driven on Saturday evening before 10.30pm, or has any information as to who the mystery driver was, police would like to know via 101 (quoting 54210007213).