Eastern European migrants are being blamed for shooting and taking away two swans around 8pm Friday 9th March on the River Nene in Wellingborough. The town is well known for its population of swans and attracts many families at weekends from miles away to feed them.

The swans were lured to a river bank with bread, shot with an air rifle and hauled away by three poachers in a sickening attack. One of the men was seen to falling into the river struggling to get one bird onto dry land.

Richard Stevenage Jones, chairman of the Northampton Nene Angling Club, said: "There are a lot of people poaching from Northamptonshire's rivers – and they are the scum of the earth. They shoot at birds and lay nets across rivers to catch fish, and then take the carcasses back to eat them. It is mainly a problem with Eastern European migrants who have moved to the country – I've collected their nets and seen them in action before. I have even had a knife pulled on me by one poacher."

Poaching has been a growing problem over the past few years with other reported incidents in the County, although this is the first high-profile incident in Wellingborough in such a public place.

THE RSPCA have been informed and have said they will help the police in with their investigations.

People found guilty of such attacks face a maximum six-month prison sentence and a £5,000 fine.
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