Catapult crackdown in place as police issue warning

Kent Police is cracking down on catapult crime after a man was reportedly shot in the face and a series of attacks on wildlife.

The force, which currently receives an average of 14 reports of catapult use per day, said it will take offenders to court if necessary.

Last month officers sent a letter to schools warning there had been increase in the weapons being used to harm or kill wildlife and damage property,

Ch Insp James Ross said: "We understand that [catapult] incidents are likely to be under-reported and are therefore committed to tackling this issue head-on."

Officers worked with the public and local schools to identify four children who had been recorded on CCTV shooting pigeons in the Coxheath area of Maidstone on 4 July.

Their parents have since been spoken to and issued with Community Protection Warnings that require them to ensure their children do not carry or use catapults in public.

Kent Police receives an average of 14 contacts per day relating to the use or possession of catapults

Seizures also took place in July near the Royal Victoria Shopping Centre in Tunbridge Wells and in Broadway, Sheerness.

In both incidents the young people were believed to be targeting birds.

And a man was reported to have been shot in the face by a catapult in the Langley area of Maidstone after confronting people picking up stones outside his property.

While it's not currently illegal to possess a catapult, they are used to commit crime and cause antisocial behaviour.

Reports of nuisance incidents fell in seven of Kent Police's 13 policing districts over the last year, but the force said it was "working hard to continue this positive trend".

Ch Insp Ross said officers will make arrests and "bring offenders to court if necessary".