Priory Gardens Orpington catapult attack in 'emerging trend'

The attack at Priory Gardens on April 16 witnessed the "massacre" of at least five birds, and the wounding of around ten more - from coots and pigeons to geese - reportedly by "youths with catapults".

Volunteers from the Greenwich Wildlife Network (GWN) found one mallard with his lower beak hanging off.

The charity was able to rescue a pigeon, who suffered a wing fracture, and a greylag with a serious head wound, but attempts to rescue other injured animals are ongoing.

According to volunteers at the GWN, this is not an isolated incident - with the charity receiving reports about catapult attacks "daily" across south east London.

An incident at Priory Gardens in Orpington saw birds left with horrific injuries (Image: Greenwich Wildlife Network)

Rae Gellel, a volunteer with the Greenwich Wildlife Network, said the incident at Priory Gardens was "one of the most harrowing and upsetting days" the charity had ever experienced.

She said on a Facebook post: "Youths with catapults went on a killing spree at Priory Gardens, killing at least five animals and wounding around ten more.

"I hesitated to write this post as we don't like to give any infamy to the dregs of humanity that carry out these attacks for fear of encouraging them.

"But not sharing the scale and reality of this problem with the public isn't working either.

"We are so tired of this."

Volunteers were able to rescue a pigeon at Priory Gardens but efforts are ongoing to rescue other animals (Image: Greenwich Wildlife Network)

Ms Gellel told the News Shopper that the charity has responded to reports of animals injured by catapults at Southmere Lake in Thamesmead, Greenwich Ecology Park, Danson Park in Bexley, Swanley Park, Keston Ponds in Bromley and Footscray Meadows.

The volunteer said: "The injuries we see are horrific.

"Missing eyes, compound fractures, head trauma, beaks hanging off, babies orphaned when their parents are killed.

"We might spend days or even weeks trying to capture the injured animals, and if we cannot rescue them, then they often just suffer and die a slow death."

The charity has responded to reports of animals attacked with catapults in Danson Park in Bexley and Swanley Park, among others (Image: Greenwich Wildlife Network)

It comes after a Sky News investigation last month uncovered UK-wide "catapult groups" on WhatsApp, where hundreds of children were filming themselves using catapults to kill and torture animals.

Geoff Edmond, the RSPCA's lead wildlife officer, said the catapult killings were an "emerging trend", with police in London aware of increasing numbers of incidents.

He told the News Shopper: "It's a real worry for us.

"We're working collaboratively with the police as partners, and I'm working various police forces around the country who are seeing this trend.

"It's very worrying because it's leading to horrific injuries and horrific suffering.

"It's not just individuals, it's groups that are going out there to deliberately target, harm, injure and kill these animals."

The RSPCA are seeing an 'emerging trend' of incidents involving catapults, especially in London (Image: Greenwich Wildlife Network)

Mr Edmond said that the RSPCA is also seeing people using air rifles to target animals.

He said: "It's shocking.

"We shouldn't be tolerating it."

A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said: "In recent months, officers have received a number of reports relating to animals being targeted by objects from catapults in Priory Gardens, Orpington."

"Wildlife officers are working closely with colleagues from the safer neighbourhood team, who have carried out increased patrols in the area.

"This has so far resulted in a number of ASB warnings being issued as well as one person charged and receiving fines.

"Enquiries remain ongoing."

Animals are protected in legislation, under the Animal Welfare Act and Countryside and Wildlife Act, but its often difficult to catch the culprits of these attacks.

Both Mr Edmond and Ms Gellel urge the public to be vigilant and report catapult attacks if they see them, either by calling 999 or reporting online on the Met/Kent Police website.