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Police working with Croydon Cat Killer officers after cat remains 'spread across streets' in Folkestone
09:44, 04 September 2018
updated: 10:33, 04 September 2018
A community has raised concerns the Croydon Cat Killer has struck in the town after residents said they found the remains of a grey tabby cat strewn across streets.
Police are appealing for information after an incident potentially linked to the notorious feline attacked, which is thought to have taken place in Folkestone at the weekend.
Worried residents shared concerns online after people said they had discovered remains of a grey tabby cat strewn across streets near Cheriton Road.
"This is something I never thought I would have to post but there has been parts of a cat found spread across a couple of streets," one resident wrote on Facebook.
"There's talk that this has happened in other parts of Folkestone.
"We believe based on what we know this has been done by someone.
"Please keep vigilant and keep hold of your cats, make sure you know where they are."
Police confirmed they received a report at 6.25pm on Sunday that a cat had been found dead in St Hilda Road, Cheriton.
Officers said the cause of the cat’s injuries are not known at this stage and inquiries are ongoing.
Inspector Julien Lawton of Shepway Community Safety Unit said: "We will be carrying out local enquiries but will also be liaising with officers from the Metropolitan Police who are investigating a number of similar incidents in the Croydon area."
Originally dubbed the Croydon Cat Killer where crimes were first recorded, the brutal killings of dozens of felines in south London spread around the M25 and further afield, including to Kent, giving the butcher the moniker of the UK Cat Killer.
Officers from the Metropolitan Police launched an investigation in 2015, but since 2014, more than 400 animal victims including cats, foxes and rabbits have been discovered mutilated, many in public places.
Police working on the investigation - called Operation Takahe - raised concerns last year that the notorious attacker could turn their attention to humans next.
A female cat was also found mutilated near its home in the CT19 5 area of Folkestone back in March.
Inspector Julien Lawton continued: "We ask anyone with information about the incident in St Hilda Road to contact us on 01843 222289 quoting reference number ZY/51844/18."
Alternatively, you can contact the RSPCA on 0300 123 8018 or the independent charity Crimestoppers in Kent anonymously on 0800 555111.