Campaigners have called on the government to ban the sale of catapults to under-18s after reports that the weapons are increasingly being used to inflict damage to wildlife and people.
Kent Police said videos are circulating online of young people targeting animals with catapults.
“It’s generally groups of youths with catapults just targeting anything to kill and they’re sharing those pictures and videos of themselves doing this on social media,” Sergeant Darren Wilshaw said.
He told the BBC that a catapult attack to the head could be potentially “lethal”.
It is currently not an offence to possess a catapult in public, and the police must prove either intent to use one to cause damage or harm, or evidence it has been used to cause damage or harm.
But charities have called for a change in the law, as Jim Clark, wildlife crime campaigner at Naturewatch Foundation, said: “The government should treat powerful catapults as the dangerous weapons they can be, not just harmless toys.
“We need a ban on sales to those under-18, with clear restrictions on carrying them in public, and tougher penalties when they're used to harm animals or damage property.”
Describing the extent of the damage to the wildlife, Mr Clark told The Independent: “The level of injuries range from moderate, broken bones/wings and deep penetrative wounding to severe – sadly most often resulting in death or necessary euthanasia.”
He added: “The indiscriminate targeting of wildlife is a clear sign of the propensity to abuse animals.”
Wildlife campaigner Rae Gellel, founder of Greenwich Wildlife Network, has rescued several birds that have fallen victim to catapult attacks in southeast London.
She told the BBC the injuries are “horrific” and cause “tremendous suffering that is prolonged over days, sometimes weeks”.
Earlier this year, Kent Police wrote a letter to schools warning parents about catapult crime.
“While carrying a catapult is not a criminal offence, its use may lead to criminal liability,” the letter said and asked parents to “dissuade” children from leaving home with a catapult.
After a seagull was killed in a shocking catapult attack in March this year, the RSPCA said: “It is unspeakably cruel and totally unacceptable to shoot animals for fun like this.
“While most people will be appalled by attacking animals in this way, sadly the RSPCA’s experience shows that there are people out there who are deliberately targeting wildlife, pets and farm animals with airguns, catapults and crossbows. These weapons cause horrific pain and suffering.”
A government spokesperson said: “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.”
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