Advocates in south-east London are urging the government to enhance regulations regarding catapults to prevent harm to wildlife.

Volunteers at Priory Gardens in Orpington have noted a troubling rise in incidents involving geese, ducks, and swans being targeted by individuals using these devices to fire projectiles like ball bearings, which are legal to possess and carry.

Jacqui Mitchell, a volunteer at the gardens, commented that assaults on wildlife have now become a frequent occurrence.

The Home Office expressed its disapproval of these “cowardly crimes,” while asserting that current laws provide an appropriate equilibrium.

Mitchell shared her experience with BBC London: “Witnessing a Canada goose being struck by a catapult—seeing it struggle in agony and die before my eyes—was simply horrifying.”

On Sunday, local residents and activists staged a protest at Priory Gardens advocating for improved safeguards for local wildlife and more stringent regulations on catapults.

Rae Gellel, the wildlife activist who organized the demonstration, emphasized the need for legislation regulating the sale and carrying of catapults, noting that they can be extremely hazardous. “Children should not have access to such a weapon that can inflict significant harm.”

Reports of animal cruelty against birds have surfaced throughout England. For example, in February, a female swan was killed at Beddington Park in Sutton, with an X-ray revealing it had been shot in the head with a ball bearing. In March, a black-headed gull was allegedly targeted with a catapult before being discarded outside a home in Northfleet, near Gravesend.

An online petition calling for a ban on the sale of catapults and their ammunition in the UK, as well as making it illegal to carry catapults in public places, has garnered over 19,000 signatures.

In response to the petition, the Home Office reiterated its condemnation of “the thugs responsible for such despicable and cowardly acts,” while also mentioning that catapults are frequently used by individuals engaged in legitimate activities, especially by anglers for casting bait. They asserted that existing legislation “strikes the correct balance” and would continue to be reviewed.

The Metropolitan Police confirmed that they are looking into the incidents involving bird attacks at Priory Gardens.