SWANS in Redditch may be being killed and injured by cruelty and not just carelessness, according to an RSPCA inspector.

Redditch Insp Simon Dix has issued a stark warning to anyone thinking of harming swans that they could face harsh punishments.

Mr Dix was at Paper Mill pool in Church Hill last Tuesday evening, when he saw three youngsters trying to bait a male swan.

One was using a fishing reel which had a piece of bread attached to the hook and was repeatedly throwing it in front of the swan to attract it.

Mr Dix immediately stopped them and warned them about the seriousness of their actions.

The youngsters were also in danger of being harmed themselves as it was an aggressive male swan with a female nearby.