PCCs back fresh call for catapult restrictions

Surrey's deputy PCC Ellie Vesey-Thompson with Danni Rogers, one of the wildlife rescue volunteers behind the campaign

Two of the South East's Police and Crime Commissioners (PCC) have backed a new attempt to restrict the carrying and use of catapults.

Wildlife campaigners have launched a parliamentary petition to introduce a licensing scheme for the weapons, restricting who can carry them in public.

They say there has been an increasing use of catapults in attacks on animals.

The PCCs of Surrey and Kent have given their backing to a tightening of the law.

The latest petition is the campaigners' third attempt to change the law.

It will receive an official response from the government, after getting the required 10,000 signatures in five days.

A BBC South East documentary in October revealed the extent to which powerful catapults were being used in anti-social behaviour and crime.

The latest petition would make carrying a catapult in public without a reasonable reason an offence, similar to carrying an air gun.

Matthew Scott, the PPC for Kent, said: "I agree with the petition and its aim.

"Too much harm and danger is being caused to residents, business and wildlife with illegal and reckless behaviour.

"Giving the police extra powers to seize them, without a lawful purpose, will help make people and our wildlife safer."

Surrey deputy PCC Ellie Vesey-Thompson believes those carrying catapults for legitimate reasons such as angling could be asked to prove it.

"Let's just switch the burden onto the carrier rather than it being on the police officer who stops them," she said.

"There's no paperwork, you just have to prove on the spot, when you're stopped by an officer, that you have a legitimate purpose for carrying that catapult.

"That might be you produce your rod licence and show that you're going fishing."

Several councils and police districts have introduced temporary localised bans, using public space protection orders (PSPOs) in hot spots.

"We need something that's more broad that covers everybody all of the time, so we don't constantly have to be applying for PSPOs," said Ms Vesey-Thompson.

A government spokesman said: "Catapults should not be used for illegal purposes, whether against people, wildlife or property.

"We continue to keep all relevant legislation under review in the interest of public safety."