A BLOODIED claw hammer could be the vital clue in solving a vandalism attack on five cars in a Cotswold village.

Police were called to Blockley late on Sunday, March 9 after reports the windows of several vehicles in a communal car park shared by homes in Station Road had been smashed.

Officers believe a hammer or similar tool was used to break the windows.

They left the scene but were called back two hours later as one of the damaged cars had been set on fire.

The fire was put out and a hammer with blood on the handle and head was discovered in the driver's footwell.

Witnesses had reported seeing two people running away from the scene and a police dog handler was brought in to search the area, but no one was caught.

After further examination of the scene, police believe the offender or offenders will have significant cuts to their hands or arms.

Anyone with such injuries, but who is not connected to the incident, is urged to come forward to be eliminated from the enquiry.

Anyone with information should call 101, quoting incident 437 of 9/3/14