Wildlife Offences

We are aware of incidents on the borough involving animals and wildlife being targeted, injured or damaged by objects fired using catapults.

Whilst carrying a catapult is not a criminal offence, there are certain pieces of legislation that could mean a person is criminally liable, for example:

- Section 4 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 (Causing an animal to suffer)

- Section 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (intentionally killing or inuring any wild bird)

- Section 1 of the Prevention of Crime Act 1953 (unlawfully having any offensive weapon in a public place, meaning any article made or adapted for use for causing injury to a person or intended)

- Section 1 of the Wild Mammals Protection Act 1996 ( causing unnecessary suffering to any wild mammal)

- Section 1 of the Criminal Damage Act 1971 (intentionally or recklessly damaging property)

Please be assured we are conducting extra patrols regarding these offences, and we would encourage anyone who knows any information, or witnesses any incidents, to report them to police.