A DISTURBING trend which has seen cruel children use wild animals for target practice is being targeted in a new police crackdown. 

Essex Police has revealed there has been a rise in reports of yobs shooting catapults at wild animals and birds “for fun”. 

Sue Schwar, founder of South Essex Wildlife Hospital, has reported a rise in birds being brought in with serious injuries or dying after being shot with catapults, while Essex Police has highlighted Northlands Park, in Basildon, as a hotspot. 

Echo: Cruel - birds and other wildlife have allegedly been attacked by children.Cruel - birds and other wildlife have allegedly been attacked by children. (Image: Essex Police)

It comes after Sky News revealed “children are filming themselves using catapults to kill and torture animals in a UK-wide network on WhatsApp” following an investigation. 

Ms Schwar said: “We’ve had many casualties over the years. It’s getting worse. We’ve probably seen at least 20 birds killed using catapults last year. That’s just the tip of the iceberg, those which are brought into our hospital.

“The real number is no doubt much, much higher.”

Echo: Compassion - wildlife hospital founder Sue Schwar says people must consider the consequences of the 'violent' acts.Compassion - wildlife hospital founder Sue Schwar says people must consider the consequences of the 'violent' acts. (Image: South Essex Wildlife Hospital)

Ms Schwar, who founded the animal hospital in Orsett in 1990, says children must be taught compassion.

She added: “The animals are not there for target practice. When an adult bird is attacked, that can have serious consequences for their offspring. Blue tits or grey tits can have 20 or more offspring, which will all perish as the remaining parent can’t keep up with feeding all of them.”

As well as Northlands Park, Chafford Gorges Nature Discovery Park near Grays, has been highlighted as a hotspot by police.

Echo: Patching up - injured birds, such as the swan pictured, have been found with metal ball bearings embedded in their skin.Patching up - injured birds, such as the swan pictured, have been found with metal ball bearings embedded in their skin. (Image: Essex Police)

Essex wildlife crime and heritage officer PC Jed Raven is the national lead for “operation lakeshot”, which focuses on education and preventing re-offending as well as detection and bringing offenders to justice.

He said: “Some people think it’s just a bit of harmless fun but the animal or bird they hit could suffer a long and painful death as a result. The vast majority of people simply want to get out and enjoy nature, but a small minority just want to hurt things.

Echo: Examination - an X-ray showing a metal ball bearing embedded in a swan's skull.Examination - an X-ray showing a metal ball bearing embedded in a swan's skull. (Image: Essex Police)

“It’s not just catapults, people sometimes target wildlife with air weapons and crossbows. But any way you look at it, it’s dangerous and it is cruel. And animal cruelty can be a precursor to more serious crimes.

“Anyone who walks in or patrols our parks and towns are our eyes and ears. We need you to tell us what you know.”