A woman from the Isle of Sheppey has recounted her terror after her downstairs window was shattered by a catapult, an incident she initially mistook for a gunshot. Barbara Servante was relaxing at home with her husband on a Saturday evening when an "almighty bang" disrupted their peace. "We both immediately thought it was a gunshot. I was looking at the floor for bullets," she explained, describing the immediate fear that gripped them.
Mrs Servante's experience is not isolated, with communities across South East England increasingly reporting incidents of property damage and anti-social behaviour linked to catapults. The prevalence of these attacks has become such a concern that police chiefs and Members of Parliament are now advocating for a change in the law, with discussions already underway with the government regarding the legal status of catapults.
The impact of such incidents extends beyond property damage, inflicting significant emotional distress on residents. Mrs Servante expressed her deep unease following the attack, stating, "I truly believed we were shot at. I couldn't sleep, I thought we were sitting targets." She highlighted the potential for serious injury, noting that her husband had been outside just minutes before the window was smashed. Another resident, Paul Chalk, whose street has seen numerous families targeted, estimates the damage to be in the thousands of pounds and believes catapults should be "completely banned," warning that it's "only a matter of time before somebody gets killed."
Concerns also extend to the safety of individuals and wildlife. Jo Lazzam described being chased with catapults and ball bearings in a Tunbridge Wells park, narrowly avoiding being hit. She emphasised the severe risk of injury, particularly to the eyes, describing catapults as "an extremely dangerous weapon." Naturewatch Foundation has echoed these concerns, advocating for a ban on the sale of catapults to under-18s to mitigate the number of attacks, a call supported by politicians who note young people are reportedly filming these incidents for social media.
Kent Police have acknowledged the escalating problem, reporting an average of 14 catapult-related offences daily in 2025. Superintendent Rob Marsh confirmed the force's determination to tackle those responsible, stating that while ownership is not currently illegal, officers will arrest individuals and seize weapons if a catapult is suspected of being used in a crime. Sittingbourne and Sheppey MP Kevin McKenna is pushing for catapults to be classified as offensive weapons, which would grant police stronger powers to remove them from streets before harm is caused, thereby "preventing damage, protecting communities and giving law enforcement the tools they need to act."
The current legal framework in the UK permits the ownership and public carrying of catapults. However, their use becomes illegal under existing laws if they are employed to harm people, animals, property, or for anti-social behaviour. The ongoing discussions between government officials and stakeholders aim to review this legislative status and explore potential amendments to address the growing public safety concerns.