Greenwich Wildlife Network, a rescue group operating across south east London and north Kent, says it is now receiving reports of maimed or killed animals on an almost daily basis — often in the same few green spaces.
Rae Gellel, founder of Greenwich Wildlife Network, told the News Shopper: “It’s quite rare for us now to get through a week without hearing of at least one animal being injured or killed by catapult. The attacks have absolutely exploded.”
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 violence reported there repeatedly over several years.
Other problem spots include Brooklands Lake in Dartford and green spaces in Greenhithe.
Rae explained: “Priory Gardens has always been an issue.
“Locals have been reporting attacks constantly. But in the past few years, rather than those reports deterring them, there’s even more than ever.”
Greenwich Wildlife Network, which began in 2019 as a small community group, has since expanded into a registered charity with around 40 active volunteers.
The team regularly responds to distressing calls involving swans, geese, foxes, squirrels, pigeons, and even domestic pets shot by slingshots.
The charity says most of the culprits are teenage boys aged between 12 and 18. The weapons used include ball bearings, rocks, and nuts and bolts — all capable of causing serious or fatal injuries.
Swans and geese are especially vulnerable because they are slow-moving and often approach people for food.
Rae added: “We’ve seen girls lure the birds out with food so the boys can shoot them at point-blank range. There’s no empathy. It’s terrifying.”
The group says injuries range from fractured bones and missing eyes to animals dying from internal bleeding or blunt force trauma.
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.
A 2023 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.
A fox was recently found dead with multiple injuries, and in Orpington, a family’s cat was shot on their driveway — an incident captured on a Ring doorbell.
Despite wildlife being protected by law under the Wildlife and Countryside Act and the Animal Welfare Act, campaigners say prosecution is rare — and enforcement is inconsistent at best.
Greenwich Wildlife Network has encouraged residents to report every attack to police, but volunteers say it’s extremely unusual to receive meaningful updates, let alone see action taken.
Much of the problem lies in the fact that catapults are not currently regulated, and most perpetrators are underage.
Rae said: “Over the years we’ve made so, so many police reports, and we’ve directed locals to do the same.
“It’s very rare that we get any kind of positive outcome. A lot of the time they’re just taken home and given a warning.”
She said the lack of follow-through sends the wrong message.
Rae said: “They’re back in the park the next day. It’s clearly not a very effective deterrent. It sends a message that they’re not scared of the police — that the repercussions don’t mean anything.”
Even in parks where police have been responsive, such as Priory Gardens, officers are limited by the absence of CCTV, the need for direct evidence, and the difficulty of identifying young suspects.
Two recent arrests in Orpington have given campaigners hope that things may be shifting.
Rae said: “That was fantastic to see because it’s scary to be arrested, being taken home just isn’t. People need to understand it’s not a joke.”
Charities and rescue centres across the UK, including South Essex Wildlife Hospital and the Swan Sanctuary, have reported similar spikes in catapult-related injuries.
Greenwich Wildlife Network believes social media is fuelling the violence, with perpetrators sharing photos and videos in private groups or disappearing stories.
Rae explained: “We’ve seen Instagram pages and Snapchat stories where kids are showing off the animals they’ve killed. It’s like a digital trophy case. It’s a game to them.”
The group is now supporting a parliamentary petition calling for new laws that would make it illegal to carry a catapult in public and restrict their sale — similar to current regulations on knives and other dangerous weapons. The petition has already passed 18,000 signatures.
Rae said: “You can take someone’s eye out with these. You have to show ID to buy a knife — why not a weapon that can blind someone or kill an animal?”
She said the public has been shocked to learn just how common these attacks are — and how little action has been taken to stop them.
Rae added: “People believe we live in a country where animal cruelty isn’t tolerated but that’s not the reality. Once they see what’s really happening in their parks, they’re outraged — and rightly so.”
To help raise awareness and urge action, Greenwich Wildlife Network is holding a peaceful protest at Priory Gardens in Orpington on Sunday, April 6 at 1.30pm.
Campaigners will meet by the main gate at Carlton Parade to hand out leaflets, speak to passers-by and encourage residents to report any catapult-related activity.
Rae said: “It’s not a scary protest. It’s just a group of concerned locals standing up against this. We just want to be seen.”
