Police Investigating Wildlife Attacks At Fleet Pond Issue Three E-fits

Published on: 3 Jul, 2025
Updated on: 6 Jul, 2025

E-fits showing the young men police wish to interview following the attacks at Fleet Pond

By David Reading

Police investigating attacks on wildlife at Fleet Pond issued three e-fits this week showing young men they wish to interview (Tuesday, July 1).

A dead Canada goose and injured swan were found at the pond by a member of the public on the morning of May 10. Both birds are thought to have been hit with slingshots.

The swan, which had been struck with a ball bearing, was collected by the Swan Sanctuary.

Attacks on wildfowl were also reported along the Basingstoke Canal at Ash Vale in May, causing outrage among the Ash community. More than 50 people turned up at a public meeting on May 15 to demonstrate their anger.

The attacks resulted in serious injuries inflicted on a number of wildfowl on the canal and at least two of the birds died of their wounds.

Following the attacks at Fleet Pond, it was reported that three young men, aged in their late teens to early 20s, were spotted near the pond at around 7.30pm on May 9 – the day before the birds were discovered. One of the group reportedly used a sling shot to hit and injure a pigeon.

Hampshire Police said: “Since this was reported to us, officers have been carrying out various lines of enquiry and are now in a position to release e-fit images of three males they would like to speak to.

“We believe they can help us with our investigation and would urge them, or anyone who knows their identity, to get in touch with us.”

The first male (left in the picture) is described as being:

White, aged in his late teens to early 20s, 5ft 9ins tall and of large build. He was wearing a baggy t-shirt and had messy medium length hair.

The second male (centre) is described as being:

White, aged in his late teens to early 20s, 5ft 9ins tall and of medium build. He was wearing a black tracksuit top and had a slick back hairstyle.

The third male (right) is described as being:

White, aged in his late teens to early 20s, 6ft 1ins tall and of slim build. He was wearing a grey hoodie and had dark brown hair.

Police say: “Do you recognise the males in the images? Did you witness the incident? If you have any information, please call 101 quoting reference number 44250203291.”

You can also submit information online via the police website at https://www.hampshire.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/cor/tell-us-about-existing-case-report/

PC Neve Fitzgerald, from the Fleet Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “Incidents of this nature have a huge impact on local communities. Intentionally harming defenceless birds and wildlife is shocking and it simply won’t be tolerated.

“We want to reassure the community that we are taking these reports extremely seriously and have been carrying out a number of enquiries since it was first reported.

“Please take a look at the images we have released today – if you recognise the people in the e-fits, please get in touch with us.

“It is an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 to kill, harm, or take a wild bird. It is also an offence to take, damage or destroy the nest of a wild bird.

“We would also urge anyone with information about crimes against wildlife, including individuals acting suspiciously around wild birds or active nests, or anyone carrying or using catapults in their local area to please report this to police.”

The sign that has been distributed in the Ash Vale area

Following the Ash Vale incidents, members of the public have been distributing signs along the canal instructing people how to report attacks on wildlife.

Mark Gould, who organised the action, said: “The community care deeply about the wildlife and overall culture in our community. We need to enable the police to identify and hold individuals to account by reporting through the correct channels.”

Among the attacks reported in The Guildford Dragon in May were the following:

Four teenagers with catapults firing at ducks on the canal, seriously injuring one of them.
A coot found dead floating next to its nest. According to a post on social media, a witness had seen it catapulted.