Catapult attacks on wildlife spark concern

There is growing concern about people using high-powered catapults to shoot at wildlife in an East Sussex town.

Hailsham Town Council said it was "urging vigilance" following a series of attacks on wildfowl in the town over the past two years.

The League Against Cruel Sports (LACS) said there had been seven recorded incidents of wildlife being shot or shot at with steel ball bearings across Hailsham since May 2024, but the charity believed the actual figure was likely to be higher.

Sussex Police said it recognised the impact the "dangerous use of catapults has on the local wildlife and communities" but said reported incidents of wildlife being harmed were low.

Russ Middleton, head of intelligence for LACS and a former police officer, said it was a problem "across the South East", adding: "The public needs to be aware."

"It's young people who are using these catapults to commit crime against wildlife," he said.

"The rescue centres report to say these birds are found badly injured or dead, when they X-ray them they find steel ball bearings embedded in their bodies.

"It's only the tip of the iceberg, we can only record what we're aware of."

East Sussex Wildlife Rescue Ambulance Service previously said it had dealt with more than 25 incidents of people using catapults on wildlife along the Cuckoo Trail path between Polegate and Horam.

LACS said the most recent alleged incidents were in April and involved people shooting at birds and squirrels near the trail.

"It's upsetting, it's going on and it shouldn't, " said Phil Hobden, who has managed Common Pond for the town council for more than 30 years.

"Nothing happens to these people."

Hobden said he had been given "two jam jars of ball bearings" by magnet fishers who had been searching the pond, and believed there were more attacks taking place than had been reported.

"I don't understand it, it's crazy," he added. "A defenceless bird."

LACS is campaigning for slingshots to be made harder to buy online.

In the UK catapults are not illegal to own or carry in public, but if they are being used to harm people, animals, property, or for anti-social behaviour, their use could be illegal under existing laws.

Government department Defra said it continued to keep all relevant legislation under review in the interest of public safety.

Sussex Police said: "While the number of reported incidents of wildlife harm involving catapults remains low in Sussex, we are continuing to support initiatives which further reduce this type of crime including working with partners and other forces.

"We are also working with communities to raise awareness around these issues, to educate the public on the serious consequences of hurting local wildlife and prevent harm to the nature and wildlife in Sussex."

Follow BBC Sussex on Facebook, X, and on Instagram, and listen to BBC Radio Sussex on Sounds. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.