Police are searching for a group of yobs who were seen parading around a housing estate while carrying geese and brandishing catapults.

Three youngsters were seen wandering on Singleton Hill, each with a bird in their arms.

It is not clear where the wildlife came from, but reports on Facebook suggest the youths were walking up the hill in the direction of Chilmington.

Great Chart with Singleton Parish Council clerk Aniko Szocs said: “Whether the geese were from Singleton Lake is just speculation, but many residents have been worried.

“People are very unhappy, as we are all trying to protect wildlife and we don’t want to see animals hurt.

“There has been an increase in incidents of people damaging wildlife in the area, and the police and community warden are working together to tackle the problem.”

Ms Szocs said the reports suggested the geese were now fine, but the incident on Monday evening follows previous reports of catapult attacks on wildlife at Singleton Lake.

The lake has been made subject to a Public Space Protection Order, and in the autumn police imposed dispersal orders to prevent youths from gathering near the lake.

The community is still counting the cost of anti-social behaviour after vandals damaged playground equipment and park benches in November last year.

Parish council chairman Ian McClintock estimated the damage to be worth £3,500, which is equivalent to £1 for every household in the area.

Police spokesman Natalie Hardy said officers were called after youths were seen carrying “ducks” from the nearby pond.

She added: “Local officers attended the scene but were unable to locate the group, and the details have been noted for monitoring.”