POLICE raided 11 homes in New Milton and Lymington on Thursday morning and carried out searches relating to alleged physical and sexual child abuse in the 1970s and 1980s.

A further property in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, was also searched in relation to the allegations.

Police made 12 arrests as a result of the warrants, which were executed simultaneously at 7am by 80 officers.

The 10 men and two women arrested were taken to three separate Hampshire police stations for questioning.

In New Milton the raids centred on homes "within the Marriot Road circular" on North Milton Estate, said a police spokesman.

The arrests are the result of four months' work by a team of 10 detectives following a complaint made in July about alleged incidents said to have taken place within the past 30 years or so.

The investigation team is now appealing for anyone who was living in New Milton or Lymington in the 1970s and '80s who may have witnessed incidents or who have any information to contact them.

Chief Insp Gary Cooper said: "The ages of the people currently helping us with our inquiries are between 50 and 70. The victims at the time were children and young adults."

"There were probably several victims, both male and female."

Members of the inquiry team will be at three venues in New Milton today: a mobile police station at the Nedderman Centre car park on North Milton Estate, at the town hall in Ashley Road and at the police station in Old Milton Road.

By Thursday lunchtime officers had little response, but Chief Insp Cooper was hoping people would come forward when news of the inquiry spread.

Information can also be given to the inquiry team by telephone on 0845 045 4545 quoting Operation Crossbow, or the Crimestoppers line on 0800 555111.