Six swans decapitated in park

Six swans decapitated in park London - Arabstoday Six swans have been decapitated and butchered for their breast meat, it was revealed today. The royally protected birds were found by rangers at Alvaston Park in Derbyshire last week. Police believe they were killed for food. Patrols are being stepped up to protect other swans which legally belong to the Queen, with offenders caught harming them facing a £5,000 fine or six months jail. Derbyshire Police said anglers at the lake have also reported people catching, killing and barbecuing carp - a fish not traditionally eaten in Britain and one which is also afforded protected status. Now the authorities are urging people who use the park to help them catch those responsible by reporting anyone acting suspiciously around the lake. PC Andy Sudbury, who is leading the investigation, said: 'We believe the swans are being targeted because, unlike ducks, their size means they are easier to grab by the neck. 'Someone is then using a sharp instrument to cut their heads off and the breasts are being cut out, probably for food. 'We were informed of the deaths by the council, which owns the park, and the RSPCA is helping us with our investigation.' All wans are considered to belong to the Crown under an ancient charter and are also protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act. Anyone who harms one may be prosecuted for criminal damage and stealing a swan's egg is also an offence and carries the same maximum penalty of a £5,000 fine or six months in jail. Philip Ollerenshaw, chairman of Alvaston Park Friends - a volunteer group set up to promote the use of the park - said: 'We are appalled to hear about this. 'There are only around 20 or so swans on the lake anyway, so to hear that six of them have been found in this barbaric way is shocking. 'I hope the police quickly find those responsible and bring them to justice.' Mark Hyde, 42, a lorry driver, from Alvaston, regularly walks his dogs around the lake. He said: 'I'm an animal-lover and I think this is an outrage. I think anyone caught doing something as bad as this should have feel the full force of the law.' Fellow park-goer Chris Van-Hilton, 58, a former soldier, from Mackworth, Derbyshire, said: 'I'm pleased to hear police are stepping up patrols and hope those who are caught will be prosecuted.' Local oliticians shared their anger. Independent councillor Alan Graves, who represents Alvaston on Derby City Council, said: 'Leaving these carcasses in our park where the generalpublic can see them is quite a disgraceful activity. 'It is one of the laws of this land that you do not kill swans and I feel the full weight of the law should be honed down on whoever is doing this.' Labour councillor Paul Bayliss, who also represents Alvaston, added: 'It is terrible, people should not be doing this. 'The big question to me is what the park rangers and the police are doing about trying to catch those responsible.' PC Brendan Lockett said anglers had seen carp being taken from the lake and from stretches of the River Derwent. He said: 'We have been informed of a number of instances at the lake whereby people are illegally catching carp for food. 'Some people say they have seen them taking the fish home while others have seen people set up barbecues and start cooking the fish, which has protected status.'