'Barbaric' attack on geese and a swan in North Yorkshire

Police have described the shooting of a group of geese in North Yorkshire as "utterly barbaric".

A number of dead birds were discovered at Norton Mills Lake at North Stainley, near Ripon, on 19 April, police said.

The group included Canada and Greylag geese and a Mute Swan. Several of the birds had been severely injured and left to die.

Post mortem examinations revealed they had been shot through the wings and legs with a large-calibre rifle.

The RSPB, RSPCA, The National Wildlife Crime Unit and Natural England are assisting North Yorkshire Police in trying to identify those responsible.

PC Simon Crossley, from North Yorkshire Police, said: "This is an utterly barbaric and sickening attack which has caused quite appalling and prolonged suffering.

"It is beyond belief that someone could take any pleasure from causing this amount of suffering. The use of firearms in the area is absolutely reckless and could have placed other people in danger."