Latest news with #DanniRogers
BBC News
15-07-2025
- BBC News
Kent Police in summer holiday warning to parents over catapults
Schools in Kent have received a letter from police, asking them to warn parents about catapult letter said there had been an increase in the weapons being used to harm or kill wildlife and damage property, "possibly in response to social media".It said catapults can be handed in to local beat officers.A wildlife campaigner has asked police in Surrey and Sussex to send similar letters. In the letter Kent Police said: "While carrying a catapult is not a criminal offence, its use may lead to criminal liability", and said parents should "dissuade" children from leaving home with a June Spelthorne Borough Council in Surrey introduced a public space protection order, with anyone caught carrying a catapult facing a fine. "Foreign students are being attacked with catapults"Catapult attack sparks increase in foot patrolsCalls for catapult law to tackle wildlife crime Insp Joe Breen of Kent Police said: "The use of catapults to harm wildlife and cause criminal damage is a national issue that has also been reported in Kent, and we are keen to ensure children and their parents are aware of the risk."We are grateful to everyone who heeds our advice, which forms part of our overall approach to tackling offences involving catapults that can also include seizing items and making arrests." Danni Rogers, from Camberley, a volunteer at Shepperton Swan Sanctuary, has been trying since January 2024 to have the act of carrying a catapult in public campaign began after dealing with dead or injured birds, and he has written to the forces of Sussex and Surrey, asking them to follow Kent's said: "Kent has been one of the hot spots in the last 18 months so it's good to see proaction rather than reaction."To get the kids talking about it and know the laws, they will approach an adult or authority and report those who have decided to use catapults." Sussex Police said it recognised "the impact to our communities and wildlife through dangerous use of catapults".It said: "The number of incidents where a catapult is used to harm wildlife is low in Sussex, however we work in partnership with other forces to support initiatives that further reduce this type of crime."We also encourage parents to speak with their children about these issues."In a statement Surrey Police said: "Offences involving catapults tend to be under reported and we would encourage reports of offences and even persons carrying catapults as it helps build up a picture."The local team will increase patrols where peak time or days are identified."
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Goose and swan hit in suspected catapult attack
A goose has been killed and a swan badly injured in a suspected catapult attack. Danni Rogers, a volunteer at Shepperton Swan Sanctuary, was called to the scene at Fleet Pond Nature Reserve, in Hampshire, at about 08:00 BST. He said the swan had a large ball bearing embedded in its cheek, which was "really, really heavy, so it's very lucky to be alive". The swan will require surgery to close the lesion, but the ball bearing has been removed and the wound treated. Mr Rogers said he discovered the male swan about 50ft (15m) from the bank of the lake, "looking worse for wear, its head down, with significant wounds to the right hand side of its face, then I noticed a big ball bearing in its cheek". He described the projectile as a "huge" and "unusually-sized ball bearing". The rescuer said the dead goose was found nearby with a similar injury. He added: "We believe the swan is going to be OK. Hopefully we'll get it released back to its mate." Mr Rogers, from Camberley in Surrey, started a campaign to ban the sale and carrying in public of catapults after dozens of attacks, many fatal, on wildfowl. His parliamentary petition has collected more than 20,000 signatures. The Government said it would keep the issue under review, "balancing the concern over the need to protect wildlife from the minority who misuse catapults, with respect for their legitimate use by anglers". Fleet Pond is the largest freshwater lake in Hampshire, with 141 acres of varied habitats. You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. Catapult ban petition to get government response Tennis club calls for catapult ban after vandalism Child injured after metal projectile fired at car Man loses nine teeth in suspected catapult attack The Swan Sanctuary Fleet Pond
BBC News
10-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Goose and swan hit in suspected catapult attack at Fleet Pond
A goose has been killed and a swan badly injured in a suspected catapult Rogers, a volunteer at Shepperton Swan Sanctuary, was called to the scene at Fleet Pond Nature Reserve, in Hampshire, at about 08:00 said the swan had a large ball bearing embedded in its cheek, which was "really, really heavy, so it's very lucky to be alive".The swan will require surgery to close the lesion, but the ball bearing has been removed and the wound treated. Mr Rogers said he discovered the male swan about 50ft (15m) from the bank of the lake, "looking worse for wear, its head down, with significant wounds to the right hand side of its face, then I noticed a big ball bearing in its cheek".He described the projectile as a "huge" and "unusually-sized ball bearing".The rescuer said the dead goose was found nearby with a similar added: "We believe the swan is going to be OK. Hopefully we'll get it released back to its mate." Mr Rogers, from Camberley in Surrey, started a campaign to ban the sale and carrying in public of catapults after dozens of attacks, many fatal, on parliamentary petition has collected more than 20,000 Government said it would keep the issue under review, "balancing the concern over the need to protect wildlife from the minority who misuse catapults, with respect for their legitimate use by anglers".Fleet Pond is the largest freshwater lake in Hampshire, with 141 acres of varied habitats. You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Call to ban catapults receives government response
Campaigners against the sale and carrying of catapults have received an official response from the government after a petition calling for a ban exceeded 10,000 signatures. The parliamentary petition was launched by Danni Rogers from Camberley in Surrey, who is a volunteer at Shepperton Swan Sanctuary, following fatal attacks on wildfowl. When the petition reached 18,600 signatures, the government responded, saying it shared the "deep concerns raised", but needed to balance public concerns with respect for lawful users such as anglers. The petition has received support across the South East, following attacks on people, vehicles and property in Kent and Sussex. Mr Rogers called the government's response "shocking". He says legitimate use of catapults is an "excuse" and says he disagrees that current legislation is sufficient. "We will never give up highlighting the abuse and crimes against wildlife," he said. "Eventually the tide will turn." In its response, the government said it would keep the issue under review, but that it believed "the current legislation in this area strikes the correct balance". A spokesperson said: "The government shares the deep concerns raised by the petitioners over the appalling spate of incidents of swans and other wildlife being attacked with catapults, and we condemn the thugs responsible for such vile and cowardly crimes." They say police have "broad powers to deal with offences where unnecessary suffering and injury is inflicted on wildlife, including cases involving the misuse of catapults". The spokesperson added: "However, it is also the case that catapults are also routinely used by members of the public enjoying legitimate pastimes, in particular for anglers when propelling fishing bait." If it gets 100,000 signatures, the petition will be considered for debate in Parliament. Follow BBC Surrey on Facebook and on X. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@ or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. New bid to ban catapults after attacks on animals Swan death leads to fresh call for catapult ban Child injured after metal projectile fired at car UK Government and Parliament Petitions Shepperton Swan Sanctuary
