Danni Rogers News Today

The picturesque town of Godstone in Surrey has been plagued by a catapulting 'epidemic' in recent months, leading smashed up windows and dead animals - now residents are demanding help.

A picturesque village in Surrey is being blighted by a catapulting epidemic which has seen animals killed, cars damaged, windows smashed and even mourners targeted during a funeral.

A Sky News investigation finds hundreds of members of catapult groups on WhatsApp, where pictures and videos of animals killed or injured with the weapons are shared.

Around 500 members across 11 group chats, which include primary school children, have shared footage of their kills.

A Winchester man, who feeds the swans, is urging people to sign a petition to help ban catapults after birds on the River Itchen were targeted.

A petition has been launched calling for the sale and carrying of catapults to be banned.

Four swans have been attacked - two killed - since January 27, in Godstone and Old Wokingham in Surrey and Odiham in Hampshire.

Volunteers at Shepperton Swan Sanctuary have seen five swans killed in the first two weeks of 2024.

A concerned Winchester resident was amazed by the speedy response of a volunteer who rushed over from Surrey to save an injured swan.