Enfield Town ward’s safer neighbourhoods team says someone has been using a crossbow to kill birds in the area

The crossbow (inset) used to kill a pigeon (credit Sara Kurfess via Unsplash)

Police in Enfield are trying to trace a crossbow bird killer after a pigeon was found in Willow Road after being shot by the weapon.

Enfield Town ward’s safer neighbourhood police team issued the social media appeal today (Monday 4th), saying they had “received reports that birds are being shot with a crossbow in the area”.

The team’s Twitter account posted: “A pidgeon was found still alive with a crossbow bolt in its body in Willow Road , EN1. The bird was sadly put to sleep due to the severity of his injuries.

“If you were in the Willow Road area on Tuesday 29th August and you have any information regarding this heartless attack, anonymously contact the RSPCA appeals line on 0300 123 8018.”

The police team’s appeal included a warning that all wild birds are protected in law from injury and killing and that it is a criminal offence to “kick, throw objects, shoot/catapult or do anything else that may cause harm to any wild bird”.

No news is bad news

Independent news outlets like ours – reporting for the community without rich backers – are under threat of closure, turning British towns into news deserts.

The audiences they serve know less, understand less, and can do less.

If our coverage has helped you understand our community a little bit better, please consider supporting us with a monthly, yearly or one-off donation.

Choose the news. Don’t lose the news.

Monthly direct debit

Annual direct debit

£5 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else, £10 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else and a print copy posted to them each month. £50 annual supporters get a digital copy of each month's paper before anyone else.