“MINDLESS yobs” have been setting Staffordshire Bull Terrier type dogs on swans in a Stanmore nature reserve.

Three baby swans, known as cygnets, have gone missing from Bentley Priory Nature Reserve and police are hunting a group of white youths, aged around 19.

PC John Bishop, wildlife crime officer, said: “I think it's just mindless yobbery. It's particularly sad because this is a nature reserve and these people feel the need to come here and attack these beautiful creatures.”

He added: “I've had quite a few calls from members of the public saying there's a gang of youths who have Staffordshire Bull Terrier type dogs and have been deliberately setting them on the swans.

“Obviously there's a possibility that foxes have taken the cygnets, but we have had a high number of calls saying that these youths have been here and their dogs have been attacking these swans.”

All swans are technically owned by the Queen, but if the group are responsible for harming or killing the cygnets they will be prosecuted under legislation that protects all birds.

PC Bishop said that, while the nature reserve is remote, there are plenty of people who walk dogs there and appealed for witnesses to come forward.

Anyone with information can contact PC Bishop on 0207 161 9277, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.