POLICE are investigating after a swan died following an attack in Great Notley.

The incident saw one swan killed in the Panners Pond area of the town on last week.

Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 it is illegal to kill or injure a wild bird.

Braintree Council has said it is aware of the incident and has urged anyone with information to report to the police.

Braintree Council environment boss Wendy Schmitt said: “I am deeply saddened and appalled by the shocking act of cruelty to the swan at Great Notley Panners pond which sadly died from its injuries.

"I sincerely hope that those responsible are caught soon and that they are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

“I would urge anyone who may have any information about this crime to speak to our colleagues at Essex Police.

"We are privileged to enjoy such a rich array of wildlife in our district and I’m sure that the vast majority of residents will join me in condemning those responsible for this sickening and wanton act of cruelty.

“The current bird flu epidemic is already impacting our bird population and to find that someone has deliberately harmed a bird is extremely upsetting.”

A spokesman for Essex Police said the force is investigating the incident.

In a statement, they said: “We are investigating reports of a swan being killed at around 11pm on February 9 in the Great Notley area.

“Please check your dash cameras, ring doorbells and CCTV for any recordings around that time.

“Please help us identify the persons responsible, if you have any information contact police on 101 or at essex.police.uk quoting crime number 42/24498/23,”

The incident comes after a number of swans were killed in Coggeshall in January.

Three swans were found dead after officers were called a disturbance in Grange Hill, at 8.30pm on January 2.

A member of the public had found one injured swan on the riverside, and despite being taken to a vet, it later died.