Police seize array of catapults and ball bearings in Langley

Police have seized a number of catapults, metal ball bearings and marbles in Langley – weapons often used to seriously harm wildlife.

A post on Facebook from Thames Valley Police this week showed the array of homemade catapults, which will now be destroyed.

Currently, catapults are not completely illegal in Britain.

Using catapults for target practice or hunting in the countryside is legal as long as the carrier is on private property.

However, it is an offence to carry an offensive weapon in public. Anyone carrying a catapult ‘with intent to cause injury’ may face prosecution.

This seizure of catapults by police in Langley attracted some criticism on social media, with members of the public questioning if destroying ‘toys’ is a good use of police time.

But others pointed out that the harm posed is mainly to wildlife, as animals have been injured or killed by these weapons on many occasions, including cygnets (baby swans).

Wild birds are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. This makes it illegal to cause harm or suffering to them, or to damage/destroy nests, eggs, or chicks. 

The subject has been repeatedly raised in the past year across the country.

In March, the Home Secretary was called upon by fellow MPs to consider introducing sanctions on the irresponsible sale or use of catapults.

Birds have been attacked or killed with catapults, air guns and other projectile weapons multiple times in the Slough, Langley, Windsor, Eton and Datchet areas.

Swan Support, a Bray-based charity which cares for sick and injured swans in Thames Valley and surrounding areas, has previously highlighted the ongoing problem.

In May, Wendy Hermon, its operations director, said the time was nigh for police to step up action on wildlife crime.

From November 2023 to May 2024, 25 birds were shot with catapults or air guns, she said.

Wendy said this was just the tip of the iceberg and Swan Support gets reports of youths shooting wildlife ‘all the time’.

Speaking to the Express on Thursday (January 2), she said there has been no improvement since then.

Over Christmas, the charity found a swan dead in Windsor, two dead geese and a dead pigeon – all shot.

Wendy said Swan Support is in regular meetings with Thames Valley Police but she would like to see more prosecutions instead of just ‘a slap on the wrist.’

“Wildlife crime often takes a backseat but let’s face it, a lot of crime on people starts with animal cruelty,” she said.

The post on Facebook from Thames Valley Police this week reads:

“If you have a catapult or item to fire from a catapult with you in public and you have or intend to use it to damage property or harm a person or animal, you are committing an offence.

“Please can we encourage parents to speak to their children and not allow them to be in possession of such items.”

If you want to report any crimes involving catapults, go to the Thames Valley police website at www.thamesvalley.police.uk/ro/report

You can contact Swan Support about any concerns over a swan on 07968 868172 or 01628 876336, or via email at info@swansupport.org.uk

Find out more about the charity at www.swansupport.org.uk