SAWLEY/DERBYSHIRE: SWAN KILLED BY YOBS IN CAR

A swan has died in agony after being run over twice by yobs in a car.
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Police are appealing for witnesses to come forward with information about the incident in Sawley.

It happened in the car park at Trent Lock, Lock Lane, on Friday, between 3.40pm and 4pm.

Police said a car, containing three or four men in their early twenties, drove at two swans walking in the car park.

It hit one of them and a witness said that ,when the yobs saw the protected bird was still alive, they turned the car around and hit it again.

Police and RSPCA staff were called to the scene but the wounded swan had moved into the flood plain and could not be reached. It died on the water.

PC Kelvin Hannah, wildlife and Sawley division beat officer, said: "A witness said that they heard laughter coming from the car when they ran over it a second time.

"He shouted at them but they just drove off at speed.

"That swan died an agonising death and I want to catch the people responsible for that.

"I believe there may have been a couple of people who saw what happened.

"I would ask them to please come forward and give a statement."

The yobs were in a silver or grey Vauxhall car, believed to be an Astra.

Information about the incident should be passed to PC Hannah on 0845 123 33 33, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.