Wildlife killed by teenagers, residents claim

Much of the antisocial behaviour has been reported around the Orchard Way area

Residents of a Somerset village say a group of teenagers is causing vandalism and killing local wildlife.

Avon and Somerset Police said it is looking into several reports of antisocial behaviour in Peasedown St John, particularly in and around Orchard Way.

It is believed the incidents in the small community south of Bath relate to group of young males around the age of 14, officers said.

Resident Laura Bennett, 36, described seeing the head of a pigeon placed on a gate near a primary school, telling the BBC: "It was like something out of The Godfather."

"I don't think it would've been done by a fox or a cat because it had been decapitated, it was a clean cut," she said, adding that it had been seen by many local children as they headed to school.

Reports of other wildlife being harmed, including cats, birds and hedgehogs, have also been shared by members of the village community, as well as bus stops being smashed and damage to plants.

Ms Bennett also described finding an opened box of balaclavas in a hedge, and later spotting a teenage boy cycling around the village wearing one on a hot summer's day.

"It's all a bit odd," she said, describing how the "senseless vandalism" appeared far worse this year than in previous years.

Parish councillor Andy Larcombe told the BBC that people were feeling "intimidated" by the young people's alleged actions.

He said: "I live off one of the roads off Orchard Way and I've heard from councillor colleagues about a group firing marbles at wildlife with a catapult - firing at birds' nests and cats.

"When a member of the public tried to address them, they denied doing it."

Mr Larcombe, who has been part of the parish council for 14 years, said he's heard of claims of a hedgehog being killed by young people in the area.

"It's been going on for several weeks - is it because of the school holidays?"

He added: "The general public are not impressed."

'A group of males'

Avon and Somerset Police said in a statement: "The Neighbourhood Policing Team are looking into various reports of ASB in and around Peasedown St John, particularly on Orchard Way.

"In recent weeks damage has been caused to bus shelters and trees.

"Also, there have been incidents of doors being knocked on in the very early hours and reports that a group of young males are involved in killing wildlife such as birds and hedgehogs."

Police said the group of young males involved in the incidents are believed to be about 14 years old.

The statement added: "Although the number of official reports to police is limited, the Neighbourhood Team are aware of several incidents that have not been reported.

"We are asking the public to report incidents of criminal damage wildlife crime and ASB to Police either by calling 101 or filling out an online report."