7th September 2025
A man has been arrested on suspicion of wildlife cruelty offences after 22 handmade catapults were discovered by police at a property in Kent.
Officers from Kent Police’s Rural Task Force searched a property in the Greatness area on Thursday 4 September in response to reports that videos had been posted on social media appearing to show animals including birds and a squirrel being fired at and killed.
The 21-year-old man from Sevenoaks was later released pending further enquiries.
Since the beginning of June this year, Kent Police has received an average of 14 reports per day that relate to the use or possession of catapults, which sometimes includes multiple reports for the same incident.
Sergeant Ross Haybourne of the Rural Task Force said: “Officers and PCSOs across the force have been taking enforcement action against people who are suspected of using catapults to cause criminal damage or harm to wildlife, including the seizing of equipment, the issuing of Community Protection Warnings and arrests like in this particular case.
“The firing of stones, ball bearings or other objects at innocent creatures or people’s property is completely unacceptable and we are determined to put a stop to it.
“Please continue to report all incidents to us either online or by calling 999 in an emergency or if a crime is in progress.”
SCUM LIKE THIS WANT PUTTING DOWN THEY ARE PURE EVIL BASTARDS UNFORTUNATELY THIS WON’T HAPPEN SO A VERY LONG PRISON SENTENCE OF AT LEAST 10 YEARS. PERSONALLY I WOULD LIKE TO TIE THEM TO TREES AND KNEE CAP THEM AND OTHER THINGS AND MAKE THEM SCREAM FOR MERCY.