Kent Police have launched an urgent investigation after discovering a serial offender using catapults to deliberately target and injure protected wildlife across the county's countryside.
Disturbing Pattern of Attacks
Authorities revealed they're hunting an individual responsible for multiple incidents where animals have been seriously injured or killed using high-powered catapults. The attacks appear calculated and targeted, with evidence suggesting the perpetrator has specific knowledge of wildlife habitats.
Police wildlife crime officers expressed grave concern about the pattern of behaviour, indicating this isn't random vandalism but rather deliberate cruelty toward protected species. The investigation has uncovered multiple victims across various locations in Kent.
Protected Species at Risk
The targeted animals include several species protected under UK wildlife legislation, raising the seriousness of the offences from simple vandalism to potential criminal charges under animal welfare and conservation laws.
"This is more than just mindless destruction," one officer involved in the case stated. "We're dealing with someone who appears to be deliberately seeking out wildlife to cause harm, and the use of catapults suggests both planning and practice."
Public Appeal for Information
Kent Police have made a direct appeal to the public, urging anyone with information about the attacks or suspicious activity involving catapults in rural areas to come forward immediately.
Officers are particularly interested in speaking with landowners, farmers, and regular countryside visitors who may have witnessed unusual behaviour or can provide information about ongoing catapult use in wildlife-rich areas.
The police emphasised that even seemingly minor details could prove crucial to identifying the individual responsible and preventing further harm to Kent's wildlife population.
