WARNINGS have been issued after several pigeons were found shot dead with air rifles in Benfleet.

The Castle Point and Rochford Policing Team are visiting residents and delivering letters across the area after a resident of Highfield Avenue found multiple dead pigeons in her garden.

They had been shot out of her oak tree, and were lying in the grass where her grandchildren often play.

PC Ian Risden, of the community policing team, said the incident is similar to pigeon deaths in 2017 and that using air rifles outside of your property is illegal and cause serious risks to people’s safety.

He said: “A similar occurrence happened in November 2017. This was investigated by the Community Policing Team who spoke to a number of local residents. Although no offender was found the activity stopped immediately after police made their visits.

“We are repeating this process and will be hand delivering letters to every household in the local vicinity.

“We wish to reiterate that whilst owning an air weapon is legal it cannot be used outside the boundary of your own premises.

“The risks to other people, particularly children and vulnerable persons is very high, as well as the risk to protected animals and property.”

PC Risden added: “We urge anyone who owns an air weapon to use it responsibly, the dangers to others are very real and this includes their use within your own property.

“There is a great deal of legislation under the firearms act around the purchase, carrying, supervision and use of air weapons. Needless to say if we receive a report of air weapon usage and we locate the person responsible then a full investigation will take place to reduce the risk to others.”

Castle Point councillor Jeffrey Stanley, whose ward includes Highfield Avenue, said: “As councillors we would support what the police are saying that if it’s dangerous and wrong to be using air rifles people should listen to them. Pigeons can be a bit of a nuisance, but it’s not worth the risk as accidents can happen.

“In this day and age, anyone seen carrying any form of weapon can cause alarm.”

Emily Kench, of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, said: “We are disappointed that pigeons are being illegally shot in Benfleet. It is disappointing at a time when nature needs our help more than ever. If you have any information on these incidents, Call the police on 101.”