THREE men were arrested near Dorchester over a reported scam involving second hand cars.

Police were called at around 8.30pm on Sunday, February 12 to a report of criminal damage to a car.

It is alleged that three men attended the address in order to buy a second hand car that was for sale on Gumtree.

The men are reported to have distracted the seller, while one of them poured oil in to the coolant system.

They are then alleged to have pointed out a fault to the seller and offered to buy the car for a reduced amount despite there being nothing wrong with the car.

The incident took place at an address in St Ives near Ringwood.

Three men were later arrested on the A35 near Dorchester.

Police would now like to hear from people in the county who may have encountered a similar incident.

Police Sergeant Gareth Blaken, of the traffic unit, said: "Fortunately the seller in this case was wise to what was going on and when the alleged scammers left the address he informed the police. Officers were then able to stop a car on the A35 near Dorchester and arrest three men in relation to the incident.

"I would like to hear from anyone who has put a car up for sale or sold a vehicle recently where the buyers have acted in a similar way, particularly in the Poole, Bournemouth and Purbeck areas.

"I would also advise anyone selling or planning to sell their car to be aware of anyone operating as described and to report anything suspicious to police."

Three men aged 19, 23 and 24 and all from the London area, have been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and possessing an article for use in fraud and are currently on police bail until the middle of April 2017 pending further enquiries.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk, via email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting incident number 12:347. Alternatively contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org.