Man arrested after animals killed by catapults

Police seized 22 handmade catapults at the same address where the man was arrested

A man in Kent has been arrested on suspicion of animal cruelty offences after videos on social media appeared to show birds and a squirrel being fired at by a catapult and killed.

Police arrested a man at a property in the Greatness area of Sevenoaks on Thursday and seized 22 handmade catapults found at the address.

Sgt Ross Haybourne said: "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."

The man, aged 21, has been released while a police investigation continues.

Sgt Haybourne added: "Officers and police community support officers 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."

Kent Police said the arrest was part of an "ongoing crackdown" into the use of catapults in the county.

The force said it had been contacted an average of 14 times each day since the beginning of June about the possession of catapults, though this might include multiple reports of the same incident.