Hunt on for teens after kittens found 'mutilated'

CCTV footage has been released by police trying to track down two teenagers after the "mutilated" remains of two kittens were found in a field in west London.

Sgt Babs Rock of the Met Police said that the kittens - discovered in Ickenham at about midday on Saturday 3 May - had been "tortured and dismembered".

"This is an incredibly distressing incident which I know has caused concern in the local community," she said, adding that the force was taking the "horrific incident" extremely seriously.

Police hope that by releasing the CCTV footage of the teens fleeing the scene, and an image of a duffel bag thought to have been used to carry the kittens, they will be able to identify those involved.

This black duffel bag is thought to have been used to transport the kittens

A dog walker, who posted online anonymously, said they had been in the field when they interrupted two teenagers "stooping over something on the floor", who quickly ran off when disturbed.

"To my horror, I saw two dead mutilated kittens, along with an array of weaponry," the witness recounted. They added: "The poor cats had clearly suffered."

Sgt Rock told BBC News that the kittens were found not far from West Ruislip Tube station, near Ruislip Golf Course, in Hillingdon.

She said: "We are working to help try and identify who the pair are so that we can firstly ensure that justice is brought to them, but also to safeguard them and make sure that it doesn't lead to any future offences."

Police hope a letter sent to parents via local schools informing them of recent animal cruelty incidents will help to prevent further incidents

Police say there have been other recent attacks on animals in the area - including on ducks and swans targeted with catapults - although they believe these are isolated and not connected to what happened to the kittens.

The Met says it has taken the "rare" step of writing to parents, via local schools, to raise awareness of animal cruelty issues and to ask parents to speak to their children about what has happened.

Sgt Rock said: "We've put out an appeal to schools and parents in order to educate their children into making sure that they understand how important it is to look after wildlife and pets."

The sergeant explained that causing unnecessary suffering to animals could result in fines, disqualification from keeping animals and up to five years' imprisonment.

"If you do see any animals being harmed, or any children acting in a suspicious way, it's really important to feed that information through to us," she said.

"Even if there isn't necessarily a crime taking place, it's not a wasted phone call."

The force urged anyone with information, or footage from house or car cameras, to come forward, or report what they know anonymously via CrimeStoppers.