Calls for government to crackdown on catapults

Carrying a catapult is not currently a crime, but harming wildlife or property with one is

Surrey's deputy police and crime commissioner is calling on the government to urgently tighten up its laws on the sale and possession of catapults.

Ellie Vesey-Thompson warned they must be subject to the same rules as knives, with police given powers to seize such items in order to crack down on those who use them as weapons.

It comes after a spike in attacks on wildfowl in Surrey, dozens of which are believed to have been fatal.

"These incidents are deeply distressing and, in the wrong hands, catapults can be deadly - so more legislation is urgently needed," she said.

Vesey-Thompson first called for regulations over the sale and public carrying of catapults in February 2024.

It followed a campaign by volunteers at the Shepperton Swan Sanctuary which had been sparked by a series of attacks in the area on swans and other waterfowl.

A parliamentary petition launched by the sanctuary reached 27,000, signatures, to which the government responded, sharing the "deep concerns raised" and saying it would keep the issue under review.

But it added that it needed to balance public concerns with respect for lawful users such as anglers, a response dubbed "shocking" by campaigners.

Prove 'legitimate purpose'

"It is time to start treating catapults as we would knives," said Vesey-Thompson.

"Anyone caught with one must have a legitimate purpose for doing so, and it should be their responsibility to prove that purpose if they're stopped by the police."

She also highlighted the connection between catapults, anti-social behaviour and vandalism, citing it as a key concern for Surrey residents.

Last year, cars parked at a church in a Tandridge village were damaged by projectiles, along with a number of vehicles in Thorpe, Runnymeade.

Earlier this year Knowle Hill Tennis Club in Virginia Water had its windows smashed.

As a result of such incidents Spelthorne Borough Council recently introduced a public space protection order ensuring that anyone caught carrying a catapult faces a fine.

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