Appeal following spate of incidents involving wild birds in Hart and Rushmoor

We‘re appealing for witnesses following a number of incidents involving wild birds in Hart and Rushmoor in recent weeks.

Between Wednesday 12 April and Saturday 13 May, we have received four reports of groups of young people intentionally harming wild birds:

At 3.09pm on Wednesday, 12 April, we received a report that a dead swan had been located at Swan Lake, close to Derby Green Lane in Yateley, along with a destroyed nest. The discovery was made shortly after two young people were seen to leave the area with a catapult.

At around 3pm on Saturday, 22 April it was reported that three boys aged approximately 14 or 15 were seen firing catapults at ducklings at Yateley Green pond. The boys reportedly had a dog with them, described as an Alsatian type dog.

At 5.01pm on Wednesday, 10 May we received a report of a group of six young people firing catapults towards geese at a pond in Aldershot Park, close to Guildford Road in Aldershot.
At 4.03pm on Saturday, 13 May, we received a report of a group of young people firing catapults and BB guns towards people and birds in the Queensmead area of Farnborough. Officers attended and located three boys and two girls who were acting suspiciously. Officers stopped and searched the group, who were aged between 12 and 14. During the searches, officers located and seized three catapults and a quantity of nuts and stones. Enquiries are ongoing.