Gumtree has prohibited the sale of catapults and slingshots on its site amid increased pressure on the government and leading retailers to combat a surge in attacks against wildlife.
This article contains distressing details and images.
Two weeks ago, at least 11 animals were killed in a single incident in Orpington while attacks on swans, geese, pigeons, hedgehogs, squirrels and other animals have been reported across the UK.
Catapults are not classified as offensive weapons in UK law meaning there are currently no regulations or restrictions on their sale.
Andy Harper, the Gumtree CEO, said: “Animal cruelty has no place in society, and we are committed to ensuring our platform is not used to facilitate the sale of items that could contribute to such harm.”
Wildlife group Naturewatch Foundation delivered a parliamentary briefing yesterday where they alerted MPs to the ‘legal loophole’ which allows high-powered slingshots and catapults to be sold cheaply to minors without any restrictions.
Of Gumtree’s decision to ban catapult sales, Jim Clark, the Wildlife Crime Campaign Manager at Naturewatch Foundation, said: “This is a real and meaningful win for wildlife, and for simple common sense.
“Gumtree has shown genuine leadership by becoming one of the first major platforms to recognise the devastating impact that the misuse of catapults is having on wildlife.
“By taking this bold and ground-breaking step, they are setting a powerful example for others to follow.”
The MP for Orpington, Gareth Bacon, said: “I fully support the action Gumtree are taking and would like to see other organisations do likewise.
“The issue of catapults being used to seriously injure and kill wildlife in my constituency, particularly in Priory Gardens, has been going on for some time.
“I am deeply concerned about the harm to wildlife and the potential harm to people – if these weapons can be used to kill or maim a swan, a stray shot could certainly kill a child.
“I would like to see ownership of catapults subject to licence, and the public possession of a catapult alongside potentially lethal ammunition to be made a criminal offence.”
Wildlife rescue charity, Greenwich Wildlife Network, who recorded around 150 suspected catapult attacks in the areas they cover in 2025, have started a petition with just shy of 40,000 signatures calling for catapult possession in public to be made an offence.
Rae Gellel, the charity founder, said: “Despite being a potentially deadly weapon – with a BBC investigation showing that a ball bearing fired from a catapult can strike with the force of a hammer – catapults remain completely unregulated.
“Children can purchase them without restriction, and in South East London we are seeing animals horrifically maimed and killed as a result.
“While we continue to push for changes in the law alongside charities such as the Naturewatch Foundation, retailers also have a role to play. Introducing basic safeguards around how catapults are sold and to whom is simply common sense, weapons should not be this easily accessible, and companies like Amazon need to take responsibility.”
Volunteers from the group joined the Naturewatch foundation in parliament yesterday to share their experiences with MPs.
In Kent alone, between January 2023 and April 2025 police reported 349 catapult-related incidents, although experts estimate the actual figure to be much higher.
Last year, a call to ban the sale or possession of catapults outright was rejected by ministers, citing the fact: “Catapults are also routinely used by members of the public enjoying legitimate pastimes, in particular for anglers when propelling fishing bait.”
A catapult user, Craig, 46, who goes by the social media handle ‘CountryMischief’ opposes tighter legislation on catapults, saying: “The great thing about this hobby is that it is accessible and I’ve talked a lot on my page about mental health.
“A man can get home from a stressful day at work, grab his catapult and go for a walk with his dog and shoot a few tin cans or targets and forget about the stresses of life.”
“There’s been a lot of bad press regarding catapults because of a few mindless idiots, I think with more education the youth would be more responsible.”
Despite previous calls for a change in legislation being overlooked, Clark maintains that the scale of the harm to wildlife and the community impact has been severely underestimated: “Wildlife rescue centres across the UK continue to report animals suffering catastrophic injuries consistent with catapult attacks.
“Police are often unable to intervene unless another offence has been committed, and incidents are not recorded as a specific crime, meaning the true scale of harm remains hidden.”
Chris Smith, a Greenwich Wildlife Network Volunteer, told the Daily Mail last month: “Catapults are classed as a toy, but they can fire projectiles at up to 136 miles per hour.
“If something can kill an animal outright, shatter bones and destroy eye sockets, how is that a toy?”
A new early days motion has been tabled by five MPs concerning the ‘development of proportionate legislative provisions’ relating to the sale and use of catapults, while Amazon UK has agreed to meet with campaigners to discuss the issue next week.
Featured image credit: Ian Capper – Creative commons licence
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