March 15, 2012 2.06 pm This story is over 144 months old

Police investigate swan attack gang

Swan attack: Police are investigating an usual case where a swan was beaten to death and stolen from a Lincoln river.

Detectives in Lincoln are working to find out what happened to a swan that was reportedly beaten to death and stolen by a gang of five.

Lincoln’s RSPCA branch are trying to gather information after it was reported three men lured a swan near Firth Road with bread towards them.

They then proceeded to beat the swan to death with a stick containing nails before putting it in the back of the van before driving off.

While there are no descriptions of the men, the witness saw them scramble into a black van, and also had a white Staffordshire Bull Terrier.

The first four digits of the van’s registration plate are FS06.

This is one of a number of swan deaths in the city over the last couple of months, and now residents have created a Facebook page to gather information on any suspicious death.

Lincoln’s swans are somewhat iconic to the city, due to their long-term stay at Brayford Pool and surrounding rivers.

Lincolnshire Police are currently investigating the incident alongside the RSPCA. Anyone with information should contact Lincolnshire Police on 101.

Related Reports: Daily Mail, Lincolnshire Echo