Last week, it was reported by local swan protection group, Swan Support, that yet another swan had been killed by a catapult – this time on the Thames in Old Windsor, sparking local outrage on social media.
In April of this year, the group and Member of Parliament for Windsor, Jack Rankin, met with representatives of the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead Council, Thames Valley Police and Police and Crime Commissioner, Matthew Barber, on the importance of the Council introducing a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO). This would give the police more powers to confiscate catapults and take further action to hold those responsible to account.
Despite positive noises from the Council at the meeting, over 180 days on, a PSPO is still not in place.
Jack Rankin MP has written urgently to the Leader and Chief Executive of RBWM, calling for them to intervene and push forward the introduction of a PSPO to help stop the rise in attacks on local wildlife.
Neighbouring Runnymede Borough Council are progressing a PSPO, which is currently in its consultation phase.
Commenting, Jack Rankin MP said:
"The callous attacking and killing of our swans and wildlife with catapults is a scourge on the Windsor community.
"Over 180 days ago, I joined a Swan Support community meeting with Royal Borough representatives, the police, and local PCC Matthew Barber, where we discussed the importance of RBWM Council introducing a PSPO to give the police more powers to protect our wildlife and hold those responsible to account.
"Yet after all this time, there has still been no action. I've written to the Leader & Chief Executive of the Council, calling on them to address this urgently."
