Catapult attacks on migratory birds at St Clements Lakes

KentOnline / KMTV

After a series of attacks that both kill and injure birds at St Clements Lakes in Greenhithe, residents in the area are calling out for support after feeling let down by law enforcement.   Kristin Hawthorne reports...

Transcript

00:00The fact that I was part of the rescue effort to try and get that goose out, just the suffering

00:04of that animal is only one that, you know, it'll stay in your mind for a long time.

00:10A place that was once filled with birdsong is now silent.

00:15A number of birds have been killed in a series of catapult attacks at St. Clements Lakes

00:19in Greenhithe, prompting concern among residents.

00:23I feel very unsafe.

00:25I have a kid.

00:26I wouldn't let her go play outside.

00:27And I myself feel unsafe.

00:31I've been told, you know, when these things happen, think twice before you intervene.

00:34Because the incident that happened on Sunday, one of the kids actually aimed at the residence

00:39with the slingshot, threatening her, and she had kids in her car.

00:45I don't understand why we as residents have to always intervene and try and stop this madness.

00:50It's not our job.

00:52So it's time that these law enforcement agencies really step up and actually intervene and do

00:56something.

00:57Killing these birds is a crime.

00:59They're breaking the law.

01:00So what is happening?

01:01Nothing is happening.

01:02Carly, who is a resident in the area and a bird ranger for the British Trust, is calling

01:06for better protection of the wildlife and has made a petition to make catapults illegal

01:10or create strict laws around carrying them.

01:13I am.

01:14I'm calling for a ban on catapults because they're just basically a weapon.

01:18And you can buy them on Amazon just for a few pounds.

01:21And I think children, you know, holding these weapons, you know, it's just trouble.

01:25You know, Kent basically has the highest number of catapult incidents, animal cruelty.

01:31And I really feel like, you know, it's time to ban, you know, the sale of catapults because

01:36it's out of control.

01:37Due to the continuous catapult attacks on the birds in this lake, it has now been completely

01:42decimated.

01:44Carly says that the lake should be filled with migratory birds, both nesting and breeding,

01:48but now there's about two of them.

01:50To Carly's surprise, the police turned up when I was there and spoke to her about the

01:54attacks.

01:55I got her reaction afterwards.

01:57I'm taken aback in all of these weeks.

02:00I have not seen the police a one time.

02:03Suddenly I'm here recording and the police turn up.

02:06I can say they were very polite.

02:08But again, you know, they do push the ball in the court of the catapults not being named

02:16as an illegal weapon.

02:17So there's not much they can do.

02:19So again, it confirms to me that I need to push the government for a complete ban on catapults,

02:24you know, to help stop these illegal wildlife crimes taking place.

02:28In a statement, Kemp Police said that they're aware of the concerns raised on the 1st of

02:32June 2025 about the behaviour of a group of people at the lake.

02:36They added that enhanced patrols are operating in the area over the summer months and residents

02:40are encouraged to report antisocial behaviour to their local officer.

02:44In a written answer, Dame Diana Johnson said,

02:46We're clear that catapults should not be used for illegal purposes, whether against wildlife,

02:51people or property.

02:53Police have powers to act when they're used in antisocial behaviour or as weapons.

02:57And legislation continues to be reviewed in the interest of public safety.

03:01So as plans for enforcement seem to come into play,

03:04it's now a waiting game to see if the changes will make a lasting difference.

03:08Kristen Hawthorne for KMTV in Greenhouse.

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