In the know

“It’s time to start treating catapults as we would knives”

🦢 Surrey’s Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner, Ellie Vesey-Thompson, is calling on the Government to tighten up laws on the sale and possession of catapults. 

In a letter to Home Secretary Yvette Cooper and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Ellie warned there is an urgent need for further action. 

She said catapults must be subject to the same rules as knives, giving police greater powers to crack down on those who use them as weapons. 

The Shepperton Swan Sanctuary has rescued 30 wounded birds since January, and a similar number are believed to have died through injuries sustained by projectiles fired from catapults. 

Sanctuary volunteer Danni Rogers started a petition on the issue, which has been signed by more than 10,000 people.

📽️ Surrey's Deputy Commissioner has called on the Government to tighten up laws on catapults

Ellie said: “I am urging the Government to listen to the concerns of Surrey’s residents. 

“It is time to start treating catapults as we would knives. Anyone caught with one must have a legitimate purpose for doing so, and it should be their responsibility to prove that purpose if they’re stopped by the police. 

“The connection between catapults and both anti-social behaviour and vandalism are clear. These are key concerns for residents, and the time has come for stronger measures to tackle this type of offending.” 

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