Catapult crime: 'We thought it was a gun shot'

Barbara Servante was relaxing at home watching TV on a Saturday night with her husband when an "almighty bang" shattered her peace and quiet. "We both immediately thought it was a gunshot. I was looking at the floor for bullets," she said.

But the source of the disturbance was not a firearm but a catapult which had been aimed at her downstairs window.

Her home is not the only one in the area that has been targeted - communities across south-east England have come under fire.

The problem has become so prevalent that police chiefs and MPs are demanding a change in the law, and talks with the government have been held about the legal status of catapults.

"I truly believed we were shot at. I couldn't sleep, I thought we were sitting targets," said Servante, who was assessing the damage to her home in Minster, Kent.

"My husband came out 10 minutes before to empty the rubbish, before the window got smashed, and it could have hit him.

"It's dangerous. We are all still on high alert," she added.

Servante is calling for more of a deterrent for those found carrying catapults.

Another resident Paul Chalk says catapults should be "completely banned".

"There's no reason to have them," he says.

"It's only a matter of time before somebody gets killed, the way they are going," he said.

He says several families have been targeted in one street.

"We are well into double figures. It's been a significant amount of damage done and it's into the thousands [of pounds]."

A resident of the Kent village of Marden, who wants to remain anonymous, says: "I can hear catapults being used and I worry for [my wife's] safety.

"It could be just coming around the corner and taking her eye out.

"It's probably the number one thing we talk about if we go around to friends, but no-one wants to talk about it publicly," he said.

Jo Lazzam says she has seen children firing at ducks, dogs and dog walkers at a park in Tunbridge Wells.

"They've chased me with catapults and ball bearings," she said.

"As I was running I felt wind by my ear as one went past. I heard another one hit a bush, luckily I wasn't actually hit.

"If they actually get you in the eye, it'll blind you. You will lose your eye," she added.

"They are an extremely dangerous weapon."

Kent Police said it recorded an average of 14 offences a day linked to catapults in 2025.

Supt Rob Marsh said: "Kent Police is aware of concerns about the use of catapults to damage property or target wildlife and we are determined to tackle those who are responsible.

"While it is not currently illegal to possess one, if an officer suspects a catapult has been used to commit a crime, if appropriate, the person possessing it will be arrested and the weapon, along with any projectiles such as ball bearings, will be seized and destroyed," he said.

"I would urge anyone with information about the misuse of catapults to report it."

The force says it will carry out operations in all parts of the county this summer targeting the use of catapults to damage property and wildlife.

In the UK catapults are not illegal to own or carry in public, but if they are being used to harm people, animals, property, or for anti-social behaviour, their use could be illegal under existing laws.

Some campaigners have called for a ban on the possession of catapults in public, but it is not supported by the Angling Trust.

It has argued the types used by anglers are smaller, low velocity devices used to fire bait.

Naturewatch Foundation has been calling for a ban on sales of catapults to under 18s to reduce the number of attacks.

Politicians have warned that young people have been filming attacks and posting them on social media.

Last week MPs, police and wildlife charities held talks at the Home Office.

Officials said the meeting was to discuss the current status of catapults in legislation with stakeholders and discuss views.

Sittingbourne and Sheppey MP Kevin McKenna says police need new laws to prevent catapult crime.

"By classifying catapults as offensive weapons, police would have stronger powers to take them off our streets before they are used to cause harm.

"This is about preventing damage, protecting communities and giving law enforcement the tools they need to act."

A government spokesperson said: "Catapults should not be used for illegal purposes, whether against people, wildlife or property.

"We continue to keep all relevant legislation under review in the interest of public safety."

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