Councillors in Lyndhurst are demanding more police presence in their village following last weekend's suspected arson attack on three buses.

More than £400,000-worth of damage was done on Sunday night to Wilts & Dorset buses parked in the village centre car park.

A top-level inquiry by local CID investigators is still under way, but councillors want police to take action now to protect residents who they say are shocked at the apparent escalation of crime locally.

Councillor Mark Gammon told a meeting of Lyndhurst Parish Council: "In the last six months there has been an increase in vandalism - including torching cars and now burning buses.

"The perception among locals is that this is a growing problem, and the gang carrying out these offences seem to think they won't get caught.

Council chairman Mark Abbott suggested that police cars could take a detour through Lyndhurst's main car park on their way to other calls, just for the deterrent effect.

Local beat bobby Pc Steve Ennew said: "The level of policing in Lyndhurst is a problem, but we are more than flat out. We are doing all we can. There are just not many Pcs anywhere. I would welcome it if you wrote asking for more policing in Lyndhurst. I want this area policed well. That's why I came here," he said.

Pc Ennew agreed with councillor Pat Wyeth that CCTV in Lyndhurst could be a boon.

Councillor Wyeth - who has campaigned for extra police in Lyndhurst since a wave of petty crime earlier this year - said safeguarding the village centre car park was a priority.

"The bus incident was horrifying for those living adjacent. We as a parish council could do something to get the buses moved," she said.

"The company has been asked to secure the parked buses many times. I have often reported youngsters being on them."