Reports of fox torture investigated in east London

Police are investigating reports that foxes have been caught and tortured by a group of men in east London.

The Met say they were alerted by an animal rescue group to 'appalling and cruel incidents' near Kestrel Avenue and Linton Gardens in Beckton.

Scotland Yard said a member of public made the call to the rescuers after they were woken up by sound of screaming at about on Monday at 1am.

At first they thought that the distressed sounds were coming from a human being but after looking closer saw a group of men pouring what is believed to be lighter fluid over a fox and setting it on fire with a lighter.

Police said the badly-burnt fox managed to escape but the extent of its injuries, or if it survived, is not known.

Detectives say they have discovered that the four men aged between 18 and 20 regularly go to the area and are believed to have previously tortured animals.

People in the area are being asked to check their doorbell and dashcam footage in case it's captured anything.

Detective Constable James Mahoney, a wildlife crime officer in Newham and Waltham Forest, said: “I am truly shocked and sickened by these appalling, cruel incidents and I would appeal to anyone with information to come forward so we can catch those responsible and prevent any more foxes from being hurt.

“If you live in the area, please check any doorbell, dash cam or CCTV footage in case you’ve captured these heinous crimes or a group of males matching the description loitering around. It is also possible that the group are not just targeting foxes in the Kestrel Avenue area, and so I’d urge the people of Newham to remain vigilant and report any information to us or Crimestoppers anonymously.”

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