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Police investigate reports of mistreated ducklings

George King
BBC News, Suffolk
Reporting fromNeedham Market
George King/BBC Four small ducklings sitting close together in blades of green grass.George King/BBC
The ducklings are a familiar sight in Needham Market, Suffolk

Ducklings have been pulled out of a pond, manhandled and on one occasion played with on a slide, according to concerned residents in a Suffolk town.

Needham Market is home to a large family of Mallard ducks based on land and in water off Barratt's Lane.

Suffolk Police said it was investigating after receiving a report which listed about four incidents of ducklings being mistreated.

Town mayor Terry Lawrence warned such behaviour could result in the baby ducks becoming alienated from their family, ultimately resulting in their deaths.

George King/BBC A close-up image of Terry Lawrence, who has grey facial hair. He is looking directly into the camera and is sitting inside. He is wearing a navy blue jumper with a collar.George King/BBC
Terry Lawrence, mayor of Needham Market, pleaded with people in the town to leave the ducks alone

"Please desist because it is illegal to actually interfere with the birds," said Mr Lawrence.

"The ducklings are there for everybody's pleasure and all you are doing is harming and scaring them and their parents.

"It's ignorance – but we should not be too derogatory about the whole town because of the behaviour of one or two people – the vast majority enjoy and value them."

George King/BBC A close-up picture of Hayley Smith, who is smiling and looking into the camera. She is wearing a grey T-shirt and has a purple lanyard around her neck. George King/BBC
Needham Market resident Hayley Smith said the ducks must be protected and kept safe from harm

Jamie Hudson said she intervened when she saw two young girls chasing the ducklings and stamping in their vicinity.

"It is disgraceful," she said.

"The ducks have been here for years and the people of Needham Market love them."

Hayley Smith, 51, from the town, added: "They are wildlife, not pets, and it is not acceptable – it is unkind and unfair and it's kids being mindless."

Ally Tuohy said she stepped in when she saw a couple - who were not children - trying to capture one of the ducklings and put it in a blue container.

"It was really distressing and horrible to see, but I managed to stop them," said the 30-year-old.

"It is an issue the town is clearly emotionally invested in because these lovely ducklings are so special and sadly so vulnerable."

George King/BBC Three ducks - one female and two male - standing and sitting next to each other near tree roots which can be seen coming out of the ground. George King/BBC
The ducks are known to wander from the water towards the roads
George King/BBC A wide-angle image of a pond. It is surrounded by fauna and trees. Ducks can be seen in the pond and homes can be seen behind it.George King/BBC
The ducks can often be seen swimming in a pond off Barratt's Lane and Hurstlea Close, in Needham Market

The RSPCA said it was "really concerned" by the reports.

A spokesperson said waterfowl were protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, which made it a criminal offence to intentionally kill, injure or take a bird, "except under licence".

"The ducklings in these incidents will have suffered great stress from being used as objects of play and being targeted for cruel games."

There were people "out there" deliberately targeting wildlife and sometimes using weapons such as airguns and catapults, the spokesperson added.

Needham Market Town Council said it was informed by police of the reported incidents.

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