A TAWNY owl was shot dead near Beer last month, police have revealed.

A TAWNY owl was shot dead near Beer last month, police have revealed.

The bird was found in a field on the outskirts of the village and is believed to have been killed between April 22 and 23.

Tawny owls are classed as a schedule three bird and it is illegal to kill or injure them.

Police said enquiries are continuing to find the culprit and anyone with information is being urged to contact PC Steve Speariett on 08452 777444 quoting crime number KN/10/155.

This was one of four crime recorded in Beer last month.

As previously reported in the Herald, a woman's handbag was stolen from Beer Beach on April 4 and a 15-year-old youth had admitted causing damage to play equipment in Mare Lane on April 15.

Police are also investigating criminal damage to a Landrover Discovery, which had its panels scratched while parked in Dolphin Road on April 26.

There were also four reported crimes in Branscombe during April, new police figures show.

These include a burglary of an outbuilding between March 14 and April 1, a theft of heating oil from an outdoor tank between April 7 and 28 and a public order offence on April 26.

Police are also appealing for information following a report of arson on Thursday, April 29, in which the occupants of a vehicle set light to a waste bin at the Sea Shanty car park. If you can help ring the number above quoting crime number KN/10/165.