Nearly a dozen wild animals, including red-listed birds, have been tortured and killed using 'catapults' in a leafy London borough repeatedly hit by a string of similar attacks.
In the most recent deadly finding, five pigeons, three squirrels, one starling, a UK red-listed species, a parakeet and a singular magpie were found dumped in a tree.
The incident occurred in Orpington, South East London, near the River Cray, a known hotspot for catapult attacks.
Although the exact method cannot be confirmed, some of the injuries are consistent with those of a catapult.
The animals were also found in a state that suggested they had been 'finished off' after initially being stunned, an action repeatedly seen in previous cases.
In many cases, volunteers use kayaks and net guns to try to catch the injured animals, sometimes spending days in rescue efforts. Some are never caught and are left to suffer for days before dying.
Greenwich Wildlife Network, which began in 2019 as a small community group, has expanded into a registered charity with dozens of active volunteers.
It created a petition calling for the regulation of catapults, which has so far gained more than 38,000 signatures, with hopes of reaching 100,000, so the issue can be debated in Parliament.
Parks such as Priory Gardens in Orpington, Danson Park in Bexleyheath, and Southmere Lake in Thamesmead have been named as the worst-affected areas, with assaults repeatedly reported there over the last few years
Greenwich Wildlife Network created a petition calling for the regulation of catapults, which has so far gained more than 37,000 signatures
Chris Smith, a volunteer at Greenwich Wildlife Network, described feeling 'physically sick' after assessing images of 11 animals found shot dead in a single incident in Bromley.
The volunteer, who has worked with the charity for more than two years, said the photographs were the worst they had ever seen.
Mr Smith said: 'I've assessed around 50 to 60 sets of images over the last two years, but these were probably the worst I've ever seen. It normally doesn't make me feel physically sick, but these did.
'In January alone, there have been 11 catapult-related incidents in Bromley.
'People have been repeatedly seen in parks carrying catapults.'
Parks such as Priory Gardens in Orpington, Danson Park in Bexleyheath, and Southmere Lake in Thamesmead have been named as the worst-affected areas, with assaults repeatedly reported there over the last few years.
Mr Smith added: 'The penalties currently faced by offenders, particularly children, offer little deterrent.
'In many cases they just get a slap on the wrist,' he said. 'We've seen cases where boys shot multiple pigeons, went to court, and were given out-of-court disposals because of their age.'
While adults can theoretically face prison under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, the volunteer said convictions are extremely rare.
The bodies were examined by the Greenwich Wildlife Network and the injuries are severe
Upon finding, the animals appeared to have been killed recently were found in a state that suggested they had been 'finished off'
'Across Bromley, Bexley and Greenwich, we recorded 101 catapulting attacks in 2024,' they said. 'But across the entire UK, only 13 convictions were secured.'
Mr Smith also claimed that catapults are wrongly classified in law.
'Catapults are classed as a toy,' he said. 'But they can fire projectiles at up to 136 miles per hour. If something can kill an animal outright, shatter bones and destroy eye sockets, how is that a toy?
'People don't feel safe in parks anymore. Members of the public are now patrolling parks themselves because they feel nothing is being done.'
He says police resources dedicated to wildlife crime have been dramatically reduced.
'There used to be a wildlife crime officer in every borough,' he added. 'Now, across the entire Met, there are just three people dealing with wildlife crime.'
Greenwich Wildlife Network is now campaigning for tighter regulation of catapults rather than an outright ban.
'We're not calling for a ban,' Mr Smith said. 'We want catapults to be regulated and classed as an offensive weapon, so police can seize them immediately if someone is found carrying one in public.'
The disturbing incident in Orpington, near the River Cray, a hotspot for previous attacks on animals
In a previous Facebook post, the charity added: 'Despite a growing campaign, widespread community anger, and countless reports to the police, nothing has meaningfully changed. The same individuals return to the same parks night after night.'
This comes after the charity saw four starlings, two wood pigeons and two parakeets killed in one incident in Bromley in recent weeks.
In 2023, an incident at Southmere Lake saw a mallard shot in the head in front of witnesses.
The duck died shortly after. Her six ducklings, left behind and unable to fend for themselves, were never recovered and presumed dead.
In response, a Government spokesperson said: 'It is illegal to harm a wild bird or protected species of wild mammal.
'Catapults should not be used for illegal purposes, whether against people, wildlife or property.
'We continue to keep all relevant legislation under review in the interest of public safety.'
In June last year, a campaigner also called for a catapult ban after a group of boys turned their weapons on a mother when she challenged them for targeting animals.
The government say they will continue to keep all relevant legislation regarding catapults under review in the interest of public safety
Holly Collins was caught up in the shocking encounter at St Clements Lake in Greenhithe, Kent, where she said catapults and ball bearings became the weapons of choice for attacking ducks, swans, and even people.
Ms Collins estimated the boys to be around 12 or 13 years old and what started as an animal attack quickly escalated into a direct threat.
A Met Police spokesperson said: 'Incidents like this are of real concern to people, and we want to reassure them that we are investigating and taking action against offenders.
'We have made two arrests in the past year in connection with reports of attacks in Priory Gardens. Our officers issued seven out-of-court disposals - called Acceptable Behaviour Contracts - to youths identified as having killed birds using catapults in Thamesmead.
'With our partners, including local councils, we have increased patrols in affected parks and worked with local schools to warn young people tempted to use catapults.
'Our officers are, separately, investigating videos posted on social media appearing to show people harming or attempting to harm wildlife. Our investigation is ongoing.
'We'd urge anyone with information about any attacks on wildlife to contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 111 555.'
