'Disgusting thugs' - catapult community condemns attacks

In the middle of a woodland a group of people meet to hone their skills at hitting small targets using catapults.

"We hit matchsticks regularly," says Ben Houghton from the West Kent Catapult Club (WKCC). They are a group of people who fire catapults as a sport.

Members of the club say they are worried that people who use catapults recklessly and cause harm may prevent them doing the sport they love.

Attacks on animals including swans are regularly being recorded across Kent and Surrey, with animal welfare campaigners wanting to see a ban on catapults being carried in public.

Danni Rogers, a volunteer at Shepperton Swan Sanctuary in Surrey, and rescues injured birds, says tougher rules are needed.

"Put an age restriction on them. It's basically to stop people being allowed to carry them in public," he says.

Figures obtained by BBC Verify suggest several thousand attacks on animals, people, and property involving catapults and slingshots were logged by police over a five year period.

But those who use catapults responsibly are worried about the impact these attacks could have on their hobby.

Adam Rayner says he wants to see more enforcement to help catch people using catapults inappropriately.

Adam Rayner, the editor of Slingshot World Magazine said those who use catapults for harm are detested by communities like the West Kent Catapult Club.

There's a massive difference between "careful hunting" and those who "go out and do disgusting stuff", he said.

"It's just horrible. Absolutely horrible. And none of us have got anything other than disdain and rage against these vile actors who are doing this stuff."

"They're impossible to ban," Mr Rayner says.

"It's about enforcement. It's about catching these people."

Ben Houghton says catapult shooting is a cheap and accessible sport

Mr Houghton from the catapult club said: "They're not the sort of people that would turn up at shoots and event, and if they did I'm sure they would get some stern words."

He says there needs to be more education about catapults.

"People don't understand that there's craft and discipline and a sort of honour code - a respect for the sport.

"We all love the sport. We don't want anything bad to happen to it," he added.

Lee Harrison is worried that restrictions on catapult ownership could harm the sport that he loves.

Lee Harrison, another WKCC member, says: "To a lot of us it's a lifestyle. When I'm not making them, I'm shooting, I'm practicing in the garden."

He also says the social aspect is really important.

"You get a lot of guys that come down here, maybe they overthink and worry and struggle with anxiety and things like that.

"Just getting out into the open, chatting with like-minded people - it seems to really benefit."

However he says he is concerned about people being reckless with catapults and the damage it does to the reputation of his sport.

Some campaigners are pushing for a ban on the sale of catapults to under 18s.

Others are wanting to see a law change, which would automatically classify catapults as an offensive weapon, meaning it would be illegal to carry them in public without good reason.

But Mr Rayner thinks there is another solution.

He says he wants to start a club which would be targeted at people currently using catapults inappropriately.

We need to give them "something to do, somewhere with a couple of ranges, and actually be able to show off", Mr Rayner said.

"Let's try some better youth engagement because this seems to work better than a big stick."

Shooters in the South East say they want more recognition for the sport, and say that ultimately the dream is to see it become an Olympic sport.

Mr Houghton is urging the public, and those in power, to "look at the whole story instead of just the negatives".