POLICE have today announced they are upping patrols at a mid Suffolk beauty spot following the shooting of a swan.The Evening Star has learned that extra units will tour Needham Lake in Needham Market in a bid to deter a repeat attack.

POLICE have today announced they are upping patrols at a mid Suffolk beauty spot following the shooting of a swan.

The Evening Star has learned that extra units will tour Needham Lake in Needham Market in a bid to deter a repeat attack.

The step is being taken after a swan had to be put down by a vet after sustaining a suspected gun wound.

The Evening Star is offering a £250 reward to help catch the killer and Suffolk MP David Ruffley has called for a review of airgun legislation in the wake of the incident.

Mr Ruffley, MP for the Bury St Edmunds constituency which covers Needham Market, said it is time to ask questions about whether the weapons are ending up in the wrong hands following the incident.

He wants a review of airgun legislation to make sure the right safeguards are in place to stop them falling into the hands of the wrong people.

A warden at the lake contacted officers after finding the swan in pain near the car park.

The injured bird was taken to a vet in nearby Stowmarket but the injury was so serious the swan had to be put down.

A spokesman for Suffolk police said: “We are stepping up our patrols in the area and are hoping to speak to people we see at the lake.

“We want to make sure nothing like this ever happens again.”

Anyone with information on the attack, which happened some time on Wednesday, February 14, between 7am and 5pm, is asked to contact Pc Robert Bartley at Stowmarket Police on 01284 774100 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

What do you think of this attack? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk