Latest news with #SheppertonSwanSanctuary
BBC News
16-07-2025
- BBC News
Surrey Police urges government to crackdown on catapults
Surrey's deputy police and crime commissioner is calling on the government to urgently tighten up its laws on the sale and possession of Vesey-Thompson warned they must be subject to the same rules as knives, with police given powers to seize such items in order to crack down on those who use them as comes after a spike in attacks on wildfowl in Surrey, dozens of which are believed to have been fatal. "These incidents are deeply distressing and, in the wrong hands, catapults can be deadly - so more legislation is urgently needed," she said. Vesey-Thompson first called for regulations over the sale and public carrying of catapults in February followed a campaign by volunteers at the Shepperton Swan Sanctuary which had been sparked by a series of attacks in the area on swans and other waterfowl.A parliamentary petition launched by the sanctuary reached 18,600 signatures, to which the government responded, sharing the "deep concerns raised" and saying it would keep the issue under it added that it needed to balance public concerns with respect for lawful users such as anglers, a response dubbed "shocking" by campaigners. Prove 'legitimate purpose' "It is time to start treating catapults as we would knives," said Vesey-Thompson. "Anyone caught with one must have a legitimate purpose for doing so, and it should be their responsibility to prove that purpose if they're stopped by the police."She also highlighted the connection between catapults, anti-social behaviour and vandalism, citing it as a key concern for Surrey year, cars parked at a church in a Tandridge village were damaged by projectiles, along with a number of vehicles in Thorpe, Runnymeade. Earlier this year Knowle Hill Tennis Club in Virginia Water had its windows smashed. As a result of such incidents Spelthorne Borough Council recently introduced a public space protection order ensuring that anyone caught carrying a catapult faces a fine.
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.
