IT is beyond belief that some people get a kick out of killing and maiming birds and animals.

Yet that has happened in Swindon all too often during the last few years.

The callous, stupid individuals who killed one swan and seriously injured another in separate incidents at Coate are another argument in favour of tightening restrictions on the sale and ownership of air rifles and ball bearing guns. What will their next target be?

They should be forced to do a long spell of community service in waist deep and very cold water, learning how to care for wildlife.