Catapult crackdown in effect as officers tackle antisocial behaviour

A catapult crackdown is in effect across Kent as neighbourhood police officers continue to respond to residents’ concerns about antisocial behaviour.

Constables and Police Community Support Officers have been taking action to tackle the use of catapults to harm people and wildlife or cause criminal damage, by searching anyone suspected of doing so and seizing any items they find. Investigations are also being carried out into possible offences and those found responsible risk being arrested and brought before the courts.

Overall reports of nuisance incidents fell in seven of the county’s 13 policing districts in the year to June 2025 including reductions of 18% in Tunbridge Wells, 10% in Ashford, 9% in Gravesham, 8% in Canterbury and 5% in Maidstone and Tonbridge and Malling.

Kent Police is working hard to continue this positive trend and deploying officers to undertake regular patrols in hotspot locations, tackling the types of antisocial behaviour that matter most to local people including the use of catapults to cause criminal damage and harm to wildlife.

Committed

Chief Inspector James Ross said:

‘Since the beginning of June we have received an average of 14 contacts per day that relate to the use or possession of catapults, which sometimes includes multiple reports for the same incident. Whilst this is only around one per district per day, we understand that incidents are likely to be under-reported and are therefore committed to tackling this issue head-on. ‘It is not currently illegal to possess a catapult but if our officers suspect one is being used to commit crime or antisocial behaviour then they will not hesitate to seize and destroy it along with any other items such as ball bearings. They will also make arrests and bring offenders to court if necessary and proportionate. ‘Being visible is the bedrock of our service to the public and we will continue to carry out regular patrols in order to stamp down on this type of unacceptable behaviour.’

Positive activity

Recent positive activity has included:

• In Maidstone officers worked with members of the public and local schools to identify four children who had been recorded on CCTV shooting pigeons in the Coxheath area on 4 July. Their parents have since been spoken to and issued with Community Protection Warnings that require them to ensure their children do not carry or use catapults in public, or associate with large groups for the purposes of engaging in antisocial behaviour. A further catapult was seized from a different child in the area on 20 July and there have been no further incidents reported in Coxheath since.

• Also in Maidstone on 15 July officers spotted two boys fitting the description of those who had been reported shooting birds in the Fant area. They were stopped and searched and one was found to be in possession of a catapult and stones that were seized by the officers. With the support of his parents he was warned about his future conduct and educated about the harm his actions can cause.

• On 23 July officers received a report that a group of young people were causing damage to a derelict building in Bingley Road, Rochester. Officers attended and searched three teenage boys found at the location, one of whom was found to be in possession of a catapult and ball bearings that were seized. Their parents were also spoken to and details of the incident were recorded for further investigation.

• An operation was held on 18 and 19 July in response to the use of catapults in Edenbridge, New Ash Green and Swanley where a number of young people were stopped and educated about the law.

• Officers in Herne Bay seized a catapult from a young person who was believed to have been firing at wildlife. They were able to identify where the catapult had been purchased from and visited the shop in question, where staff took the decision to no longer sell such items to children without an adult present.

• In Tunbridge Wells on 17 July officers were alerted via the Shop Safe radio system that catapults were being used to target birds in an area close to the Royal Victoria Shopping Centre. Patrols quickly detained and searched two boys, leading to the seizure of a catapult and ball bearings. The children were taken to their parents and an investigation is ongoing.

• On 29 July police stopped a group of young people believed to have been shooting at birds in Broadway, Sheerness and seized two catapults. Two further catapults were taken from a boy in High Street, Sittingbourne, on the same day and he was taken home to his parents.

• Enquiries are ongoing into several other reported incidents including the reported assault of a man who was shot in the face by a catapult in the Langley area of Maidstone after confronting people picking up stones outside his property.

• Kent Police has also written to every school in the county to ensure children and their parents are aware of the laws surrounding catapults and the risks of being involved in this type of behaviour.

Grateful

Chief Inspector Ross said:

‘We are very grateful to everyone who reports incidents to us, which helps us understand which areas would benefit most from regular patrols and who is responsible for these antisocial and criminal acts. ‘Please continue to visit www.kent.police.uk/report to report antisocial behaviour or other non-urgent incidents and always call 999 in an emergency including if a crime is in progress.’