'Croydon cat killer' strikes in Hampshire

It's believed the 'M25 Animal Killer' is behind a brutal cat attack in Hampshire.

It's thought around 400 cats and small animals have been slaughtered by the attacker, who then leaves their bodies in plain sight to "horrify" people.

Debbie and Steve Nicholson, from Portchester, discovered their beloved pet had been violently killed in their garden overnight.

Her head and tail had both been cut clean off but were nowhere in sight.

There has also been another attack in nearby. In this incident a young, unchipped, female, tabby was killed.

Cara Golden, owner of Whiteley village vets, raised the alarm with SNARL (South Norwood Animal Rescue Liberty).

They confirmed the injuries were consistent with other cat attacks..

The murderer is known as the 'M25 Animal Killer' because they kill along the route of the motorway and have also been known to target other animals such as deer, foxes and rabbits.

Police are hunting the killer who has been described as a "psychopath", and kills the animals with a blunt force, before mutilating them with a sharp implement.

The attacker was first dubbed the Croydon cat killer, because it is believed the killings started in the south London area in around October 2015.

However, in the last three years, animals in Surrey, Hampshire and Kent are thought to have been killed by the culprit.

SNARL has been cataloguing the deaths, and helping police with the investigation.