POLICE are carrying out enquiries after receiving a report of young boys attempting to injure or kill birds at a park in Highbridge.

Witnesses said three young boys were using a slingshot to fire marbles at birds in Apex Park on Sunday, February 11.

A spokesperson for Avon and Somerset Police said: "Our Neighbourhood Policing Team and Rural Affairs Unit are investigating after receiving a report on Sunday 11 February about three young boys firing marbles at birds in Apex Park, in Highbridge.

"Officers have been speaking with witnesses and are carrying out enquiries.

"They have also been linking up with a local wildlife charity to ascertain if there have been other incidents and reports.

"If you have witnessed anything similar and have not yet spoken to police, please call us on 101 and quote reference 5224037868."

The report comes after a spate of recent attacks on birds in the park.

Earlier this month, a herring gull was grounded after suffering a dropped wing and a wound to its head during a similar slingshot incident.

The bird was taken to Bridge Vets where it was put to sleep to prevent further suffering.

Two weeks prior, also at Apex Park, the police and Secret World attended an incident where two swans were attacked with a slingshot as they were making their way through the ice on the lake.

Highbridge-based charity Secret World reminds the perpetrators that it is against the law to intentionally kill or injure any wild birds in the UK and urges anyone witnessing such a crime to report it to the police immediately.

Secret World's Learning and Engagement Officer, George, said: “Sadly, this is not the first report of wildlife crime we have heard about in the local area.

"There have recently been a number of attacks on pigeons in Taunton being shot off the railway bridge where they are roosting.

"It is concerning to hear about young people treating wildlife in this way."