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Telegraph

Catapult-wielding children targeting wildlife terrorise Kent village

A Kent village is being terrorised by a group of catapult-wielding children who are targeting wildlife. Residents in Greenhithe said the 'vile' youngsters were attacking swans and other birds on a weekly basis. Some animals have even been found dead after being shot with ball bearings, leaving some locals to fear for their own safety. Holly Collins said she was targeted at St Clements Lake in Greenhithe on Sunday after challenging the group. The incident happened while her children were in the back of her car. Ms Collins, 37, said: 'I pulled up outside their house, and there were teenagers aiming at ducks in the lake. I shouted at them, 'You better not be hurting those ducks, because I'll call the police', and they all started swearing at me.' Ms Collins estimated that there were around a dozen boys aged between 12 and 13. She added: 'I got back in the car and we drove off, but my son's friend had forgotten his phone, so we came back and then they were all aiming at me. 'I had the window open with the kids in the car, and they hit it but luckily it missed me. Then they all ran off.' 'Very vile individuals' Residents said the attacks were happening at both St Clements Lakes and the lakes at Bluewater Shopping Centre, with 'no end in sight'. Anum Abid, who has lived by St Clements Lakes for seven years, said: 'It's just ridiculous how bad it's getting. Everyone is just so fed up and frustrated. She added: 'You'll see an average kid here wanting to throw stones at a bird for absolutely no reason whatsoever and the thing is they seem to have no fear of anything. They're very vile individuals.' Carly Ahlen, another resident and a wildlife campaigner, claimed the regularity of attacks had resulted in a decrease in the bird population at the lakes. Last year, she was alerted to the killing of eight geese which had been deliberately hit in nearby Dartford. A few months ago, a moorhen and a goose were shot and killed with ball bearings on the St Clements Lakes development.