Catapults could be banned along the Thames to protect swans, councillors in Eton have said.

The charity Swan Support asked Eton Town Council to impose a ban after saying it had received an increase in reports of attacks on wildlife in the area.

Wendy Hermon of Swan Support told councillors: “We’ve seen a massive increase in wildlife crime, not just with swans being swans being shot – it’s other animals. We’ve had an increase in catapults, guns and even dog attacks.”

She asked the council for a Public Space Protection Order banning catapults along the river between Clewer and the Romney Lock. She said this would give police the powers to stop people carrying catapults.

She said: “At the moment if they’ve got catapults, it’s not illegal to carry a catapult.

“I know of a group that are here on a regular basis and they know the law. They walk around with their catapults hanging out of their pockets because the police can’t do anything.

“If we had this PSPO order if they’re seen anywhere around the area they don’t have to do anything – they’re off.”

Eton Town mayor said the council supported the calls for an order ‘with pleasure.’ He said: “Those swans are our swans.”