100 signatures reached
To: Secretary of State for the Environment, Steve Reed
Make Catapault Ownership Licensable
To bring in legislation for catapault ownership in order to stop the torture and killing of wildlife and make our communities safer.
Why is this important?
Recently at St Clements Lake in Greenhithe, wildlife was senselessly attacked by youngsters with catapults. This is sadly not a one off in this borough and animals have been cruelly targeted causing injuries to birds, water fowl and other wildlife. From a duck being left with half it's beak hanging, a heron with a shattered wing and a squirell with a bloodied eye 💔 I was sickened to read about an online trend that has evolved where people are posting the maimed creatures after harming them.
These injuries often prove fatal, either drawn out in the wild or one of the wonderful recuse groups making the awful decision to put them to rest. I am in awe of the wonderful volunteers in Dartford who have done so much to highlight this appalling wildlife crime and giving their all to try and protect innocent creatures.
Catapults are weapons and it's not only animals that are being targeted, with property and even walkers by being hurt by launched missiles. However, shockingly catapults currently have no restrictions and are easily available to buy, with anyone being able to own one! The government responded to a recent petition calling for them to be banned on May 2025 👇
"catapults are also routinely used by members of the public, enjoying legitimate pastimes...the Government has to balance the entirely legitimate objective of the petitioners to see catapults and catapult ammunition kept out of the hands of individuals who will misuse it....we therefore do not intend to accept the petitioners’ proposal at this time, but we will continue to keep this issue under review"
In my opinion this simply isn't good enough and the situation can not continue, with the police only having limited powers under the
Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 to deal with this! I am now pushing, not for an outright ban, but to make catapult ownership licensable and to stop under 18s purchasing them. This will strike a balance and ensure that there are restrictions - only adults with licenses can have them in public for genuine leisure activities and anyone else will be breaking the law.
I implore authorities at all levels to stop tinkering around the edges and bring in legislation in now to protect our wildlife and communities. Let's use our collective voice to say enough is enough! ✊️ Please sign and share widely! ✍️🦆🙏
These injuries often prove fatal, either drawn out in the wild or one of the wonderful recuse groups making the awful decision to put them to rest. I am in awe of the wonderful volunteers in Dartford who have done so much to highlight this appalling wildlife crime and giving their all to try and protect innocent creatures.
Catapults are weapons and it's not only animals that are being targeted, with property and even walkers by being hurt by launched missiles. However, shockingly catapults currently have no restrictions and are easily available to buy, with anyone being able to own one! The government responded to a recent petition calling for them to be banned on May 2025 👇
"catapults are also routinely used by members of the public, enjoying legitimate pastimes...the Government has to balance the entirely legitimate objective of the petitioners to see catapults and catapult ammunition kept out of the hands of individuals who will misuse it....we therefore do not intend to accept the petitioners’ proposal at this time, but we will continue to keep this issue under review"
In my opinion this simply isn't good enough and the situation can not continue, with the police only having limited powers under the
Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 to deal with this! I am now pushing, not for an outright ban, but to make catapult ownership licensable and to stop under 18s purchasing them. This will strike a balance and ensure that there are restrictions - only adults with licenses can have them in public for genuine leisure activities and anyone else will be breaking the law.
I implore authorities at all levels to stop tinkering around the edges and bring in legislation in now to protect our wildlife and communities. Let's use our collective voice to say enough is enough! ✊️ Please sign and share widely! ✍️🦆🙏
