PLEA TO REPORT WILDLIFE CRIME AS BIRDS SHOT WITH CATAPULTS IN HAMPSHIRE

Police are urging people to report wildlife crime, following recent incidents of birds being shot with catapults across the water in Hampshire. Although we are a nation of animal and bird lovers, sadly the Police receive regular reports of crimes being committed against local wildlife. Reports of injuries being caused to wild animals in Hampshire peaked in May last year and it is often the case that catapults are used to cause serious injury or death to birds in the county. On Tuesday 30th January this year, it was reported to Police that a swan had been killed, and another injured, at the Basingstoke Canal in North Warnborough. It’s suspected they had been shot with catapults. In February, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary received 2 reports of wildlife being targeted with catapults. Firstly, Police were told that on 20th February a group were witnessed firing catapults at wildlife near the Garnier Road bridge over the River Itchen in Southampton. Students who were rowing along the river were also targeted, but no injuries were reported. A day later, on 21st February, Police were told that a group of people spat at a man near Domum Road in Winchester, and the same group were seen firing catapults at swans. In March this year, a man was sentenced and ordered to pay reparations to a gamekeeper following a criminal damage and poaching offence in Bordon. The man broke into a pheasant pen whilst armed with a catapult. Sergeant Stuart Ross, from the Country Watch team, says:

“Intentionally harming defenceless wildlife and birds is shocking and it simply won’t be tolerated. “It is a criminal offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 to kill, harm, or take a wild bird. It is also an offence to take, damage or destroy the nest of a wild bird. Anyone found to have done so faces an unlimited fine and/or up to six months in jail. “We want you to be aware of the law around this, and want to educate people around the serious consequences of hurting our local wildlife. “Crimes against wildlife have a huge impact on local communities and we want to reassure people that we take this extremely seriously, and work closely with partners including the RSPB and RSPCA to address issues affecting animals and birds. “Please help us put a stop to this behaviour by reporting incidents to us.”

If you have seen someone using a catapult against wildlife in your neighbourhood, report this to Police on 101 or via www.hampshire.police.uk. If a crime is in progress dial 999. There is also further information on reporting crimes against wild birds on the RSPB website at https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/how-to-report-crimes-against-wild-birds. You can also report animal cruelty to the RSPCA via https://www.rspca.org.uk/utilities/contactus/reportcruelty.

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