Latest news with #catapult
Telegraph
5 days ago
- General
- 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.
BBC News
21-05-2025
- BBC News
Catapult duck attacks spark increased police patrols in Ash
Police patrols have been increased in part of Surrey after reports of birds being shot in a suspected catapult is believed that ducks on the Basingstoke Canal in the village of Ash, near Guildford, had been hit with missiles fired by the force said it had been working with schools to highlight the dangers of using catapults after anti-social behaviour in the who witnessed catapults being fired at wildlife is urged to contact police. The force is also working with the Basingstoke Canal Authority following the incidents.A petition to ban the sale of catapults and make carrying one in public an offence was launched in 2024 by volunteers at the Egham Swan followed a series of attacks on water birds across the South far it had collected nearly 25,000 signatures, although in April, the government said it believed current legislation was sufficient.
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.
South China Morning Post
06-05-2025
- Science
- South China Morning Post
China gives glimpse of Fujian aircraft carrier's catapult technology in action
China's state broadcaster has given a glimpse of the cutting-edge jet launch system in action on the country's most advanced aircraft carrier, the Fujian Advertisement CCTV included the footage of the electromagnetic catapult system in a report last week, with a view from an unidentified aircraft hurtling along the deck. But the report also dampened speculation that the Fujian would be ready for service this year, pointing out that the complexity of the launch system meant that it would need longer sea trials than China's other carriers, the Liaoning and Shandong. The short footage was accompanied by vision of an air traffic control officer on the bridge of the Fujian giving take-off clearance to an aircraft on 'position one' of the carrier's launch system. The report did not specify where or when the manoeuvres were filmed. According to the CCTV report, the Fujian's crew have done a 'complete reform' in take-off and landing training to master the catapult system – the world's second after the USS Gerald Ford-class aircraft carriers. Advertisement The report quoted commentator Cao Weidong, who said the adoption of the electromagnetic catapult system meant that the Fujian's carrier-based aircraft would take off with full fuel and full ordnance. 'Fixed-wing early warning aircraft may board the ship soon. It may also test small aircraft such as drones,' he said.
