POLICE are investigating an incident in which a pair of ducks had their necks broken, then were dumped in a plastic carrier bag in Pershore.

The mallards were found by a volunteer from The Friends of Avon Meadows group on Sunday morning, November 8, near to the entrance of the nature reserve from Cherry Orchard playing field.

The pair, one male and one female, had their necks broken and were tied together using an orange baler twine.

Officers from Wychavon District Council, jointly responsible for Avon Meadows with Pershore Town Council, reported the incident to West Mercia Police.

Mallards and their nests are protected by law.

It is illegal to intentionally kill, injure or take any wild bird.

Although mallards can be hunted during the open season, that is by shooting only and anyone doing so would need a licence and the permission of the land owner.

Mallards are also on the amber list of Birds of Conservation Concern, as their numbers have dropped by up to 50 per cent over the last 25 years.

Liz Etheridge, Wychavon’s Wetlands for All Officer, said: “It’s clear these mallards did not die from natural causes.

"I’m sickened anyone thinks it is acceptable to come to a nature reserve and kill wild birds.

“The mallards at Avon Meadows are so friendly and lots of people, including families with young children, love coming to feed the ducks and watch their antics.

"The Friends of Avon Meadows spend so much time looking after all the wildlife here that I’m struggling to take in the fact that someone could do this.”

PC Sean Woods, safer neighbour constable for Pershore, said: "It appears that the mallards have not died of natural causes, so we have been out to the wetlands on a number of occasions this week monitoring the area.

"We would urge anybody who has information, or who knows the people responsible, to contact us."

People with information are asked to call police on 101 quoting incident number 237-S-09112015.