Concern Over Wildlife Attacks With Catapults In Hailsham

(c) East Sussex Wildlife Rescue Ambulance Service/Oztug/Shutterstock

Concerns are being raised over a series of incidents involving wildlife being shot with catapults in Hailsham.

Hailsham Town Council says it is urging residents to remain vigilant following attacks on wildfowl reported in the town over the past two years.

The League Against Cruel Sports (LACS) says there have been seven recorded incidents of wildlife being shot or shot at with steel ball bearings in Hailsham since May 2024.

The charity believes the true number of incidents could be higher.

According to the charity, birds and other wildlife have been found injured or dead, with X-rays revealing steel ball bearings lodged in their bodies.

Russ Middleton, Head of Intelligence at the League Against Cruel Sports and a former police officer, said the issue extends beyond Hailsham and is affecting other parts of the South East.

He said:

"The public needs to be aware.

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

"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."

The charity is encouraging anyone who witnesses incidents involving wildlife being targeted to report them to police.

The East Sussex Wildlife Rescue Ambulance Service has previously said it dealt with more than 25 incidents involving catapults being used against wildlife along the Cuckoo Trail between Polegate and Horam.

LACS says the latest reported incidents happened in April, when birds and squirrels were allegedly targeted near the trail.

Phil Hobden, who has managed Common Pond on behalf of Hailsham Town Council for more than 30 years, said he believes many incidents go unreported.

He said magnet fishers had recovered two jars full of ball bearings from the pond.

"It's upsetting, it's going on and it shouldn't," he said.

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

The League Against Cruel Sports is campaigning for tougher controls on the online sale of catapults.

While catapults are legal to own and carry in public in the UK, their use may be illegal if they are used to harm people, animals or property, or in connection with anti-social behaviour.

A spokesperson for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said the Government continues to keep relevant legislation under review in the interests of public safety.

Sussex Police said it recognises the impact the dangerous use of catapults can have on wildlife and local communities.

A force spokesperson said that while the number of reported incidents involving wildlife harm and catapults remains low in Sussex, officers continue to work with partners and local communities to reduce offending, raise awareness and prevent harm to wildlife across the county.