The pretty English village of Godstone is under siege from a ‘catapulting epidemic’ that has seen funerals attacked and cars damaged by flying projectiles.
What’s more, local wildlife has also been attacked with reports that local swans and a peacock have been among the fatalities.
The incidents are making life difficult for locals as mystery surrounds who is behind the attacks and why they are taking place.
Local rector of St Nicholas Church, Peter O’Connell, described how a funeral he was officiating saw the vehicles of mourners attacked.
Speaking to LBC, he said: “I came out after the service and three cars including mine had windows shot out.
“Particularly for the mourners who are there to see off someone they loved – to come out and experience such damage to their car – was quite traumatic.”
Houses have also been targeted with one victim recalling how she was woken when a rock came smashing through her window just after 8am in the morning.
As well as houses, funerals, and cars, local wildlife have also been targeted with some waterfowl, swans, and even a peacock being killed by devastating headshots.
The attacks on the swans have been condemned by the RSPCA. A spokesperson told Express.co.uk: “Catapult attacks against animals are shocking, very distressing and unspeakably cruel. It is totally unacceptable – and also illegal – to shoot animals for ‘fun’ or as target practice.
“At the RSPCA we are working proactively with police and other agencies to tackle this issue and stamp out this cruel practice, which unfortunately we are seeing as a growing trend in some areas. We think of ourselves as a nation of animal lovers, and we know most people will be shocked to think wildlife could be targeted in this way.
“But, sadly, the RSPCA’s experience shows that there are also people out there who are deliberately targeting wildlife, pets and farm animals with not just catapults – but guns and even crossbows. These weapons cause horrific pain and suffering.
“All wild birds, including swans, are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and it is an offence to intentionally kill, injure or take them except under licence. The maximum penalty, if found guilty, is six months in prison and/or an unlimited fine.”
The violence has been condemned by Conservative MP Claire Coutinho who told LBC this morning that that the violence was “nothing short of a disgrace”.
In a statement about the incidents, Surrey Police said: “Surrey Police is committed to investigating catapult incidents in Godstone and across the borough of Tandridge. Every report we receive is assessed to see if there are positive lines of enquiry, and if so, these are fully investigated.
“We are aware that a video was being circulated which relates to recent incidents of catapult offences in the area. In response to this, we stepped up proactive patrols in the area and an appeal was issued through our Facebook page to identify several individuals we wanted to speak to in connection with these offences.”
They added: “An arrest was also made in relation to another catapult offence in the Godstone area. However, the suspect was subsequently released with no further police action due to evidential challenges.
“We have had several positive results in relation to catapult offences across Tandridge. A man has been charged to court in relation to an offence in Caterham in January 2024.
“A man has also been identified in relation to a recent offence in Hurst Green and arrest attempts remain ongoing. On Monday 22 April, officers stopped a vehicle in Caterham and during a search of the vehicle a catapult was located and seized.”
On reports of an incident involving a swan, a spokesperson for Surrey Police commented: “In relation to the swans, we have no witnesses or CCTV of this incident. I have spoken to the Tandridge team and this occurred last year so is not a recent incident.
“The swan in Godstone was not actually reported to police – we became aware of it from social media. It was found injured, and there were no witnesses who saw it being attacked.
“We will always deal with suspects if we are able to identify them but this relies on having lines of enquiry to follow up, someone witnessing the incident, or CCTV being available. We have increased our proactive patrols in the location.”
