Police release footage of a wild deer with a crossbow bolt through its skull

Footage of a wild deer with a crossbow bolt through its head has been released by police who described it as "terribly sad and shocking".

The deer "appears to be managing as well as it can" but it shows how "inhumane and reckless" poaching can be, Gloucestershire Police said.

Using crossbows to shoot mammals is illegal and anyone found with crossbows on Forestry England land can also be prosecuted by police and Forestry England.

Just before Christmas several people were seen with a crossbow in the Coleford area in woodland.

Gloucestershire Police asked anyone who has any information on this particular incident, or knows of anyone using crossbows to shoot, to contact police.