Ducks shot dead and left in woodland

The ducks were found dead in woodland near a skatepark

Four ducks have been found shot dead prompting a police appeal.

The birds were found in woodland near the skatepark in Station Road, in Calne, Wiltshire, at about 08:00 GMT on 3 January.

An X-ray found the ducks had been shot with a weapon and had their breasts removed. It is not known if the birds were killed in the woodland or if they had been transported from elsewhere, Wiltshire Police said.

Police Community Support Officer Mark Cook said they were "greatly concerned" about the incident and urged people to report anyone behaving suspiciously around the waterways.

He added that the Calne Neighbourhood Policing Team have been liaising closely with the rural crime team and that additional patrols have been put in place in Castlefields Park and Station Road.