Police hunt for teens after kittens found 'mutilated'

CCTV footage has been released by police after the "mutilated" remains of two kittens were found in a field in west London.

A dog walker, who posted online anonymously, said they had been in the field in Ickenham at about midday on Saturday 3 May when they interrupted two teenagers "stooping over something on the floor", who quickly ran off when disturbed.

"To my horror, I saw two dead mutilated kittens, along with an array of weaponry," the witness recounted. They added: "The poor cats had clearly suffered."

Police say they hope releasing the footage, and an image of a black duffel bag thought to have been used to carry the kittens, will help identify those involved.

Sgt Babs Rock from Ruislip Safer Neighbourhoods told BBC News that the Met Police had been made aware that two kittens had been "tortured and dismembered" in fields not far from West Ruislip Tube station, near Ruislip Golf Course.

"This is an incredibly distressing incident which I know has caused concern in the local community," she said.

Sgt Rock said the force was taking the "horrific incident" extremely seriously and that CCTV had been found nearby showing two teens walking to the area where the kittens were found, and then capturing the pair running away.

She said: "We are working to help try and identify who the pair are so that we can firstly ensure that justice is brought to them, but also to safeguard them and make sure that it doesn't lead to any future offences."

Police say it comes after a spate of attacks on local wildlife, including ducks and swans attacked with catapults. They believe the attacks are isolated and not connected.

The incidents have prompted police to take what they say is the "rare" step of writing to parents, via local schools, to raise awareness of the animal cruelty issues and to ask parents to speak to their children.

Sgt Rock said: "We've put out an appeal to schools and parents in order to educate their children into making sure that they understand how important it is to look after wildlife and pets."

The sergeant explained that causing unnecessary suffering to animals could result in fines, disqualification from keeping animals and up to five years' imprisonment.

"If you do see any animals being harmed, or any children acting in a suspicious way, it's really important to feed that information through to us," she said.

"Even if there isn't necessarily a crime taking place, it's not a wasted phone call."

The force urged anyone with information, or footage from house or car cameras, to come forward, or report what they know anonymously via CrimeStoppers.