In recent weeks, the tranquil village of Godstone in Surrey has become a target for a group of yobs armed with catapults. Their reckless actions have caused significant damage to property, vehicles, and wildlife, leaving residents feeling terrorized.
According to local rector Peter O’Connell, three cars were “shot out” during a recent funeral service, leaving mourners traumatized. The group has also reportedly damaged stained glass windows in the 13th-century St Nicholas Church and fired at roof tiles.
One villager who wished to remain anonymous for safety reasons recounted a frightening incident where a large rock came crashing through her window, narrowly missing her mother-in-law. Alarmingly, the incident occurred in broad daylight at around 8 am, while her young daughter was home.
The yobs have not spared wildlife either. In February, the Swan Sanctuary reported receiving reports of a swan that had lost an eye and suffered head wounds after being attacked. Residents have also claimed that birds near Godstone Pond have been injured.
In addition to property and wildlife damage, there have been reports of people being injured or having near misses. In 2018, a two-year-old child narrowly escaped injury when a ball was fired through his window. An elderly woman also fell down her stairs in 2012 while rushing to check on a smashed window, which had two small holes in its double-glazed pane.
Residents are now demanding answers from Surrey Police, accusing officers of being “disinterested” while the culprits remain at large. The police have acknowledged the reports and increased patrols in the area, but they emphasize the difficulty in targeting patrols effectively due to the random nature of the offenses.
The underreporting of catapulting offenses is a concern, and the police encourage residents to report any incidents, as well as people carrying catapults or engaging in suspicious behavior. CCTV footage has been obtained and circulated, but the individuals involved have not yet been identified.
