Man, 52, arrested after 25 cats killed or injured in Brighton

A 52-year-old man has been arrested after at least 25 cats were killed or injured in Brighton over the last 18 months.

Police made the arrest after the death of a cat found seriously injured near Trafalgar Street in the city on Saturday evening, 1 June.

The 52-year-old was arrested on Sunday on suspicion of criminal damage and possession of an offensive weapon in a public place.

A force spokesman said: “Sussex Police have arrested a local man in connection with cat deaths in Brighton following a breakthrough in a longstanding investigation.

“Officers were made aware that a cat had been injured near Trafalgar Street, Brighton, on Saturday evening. The cat had sustained serious wounds and has unfortunately since died.”

CCTV footage led officers to the man, who has been released on police bail until 28 June.

Police are searching for a witness they believe may be able to help with their investigation.

Detective Inspector Chris Thompson described the witness as a “white man, around 5ft 8ins, in his 20s or 30s, of medium build, with long dark wavy hair and was wearing sunglasses at the time”.

The witness is thought to have stroked the cat before it was injured around 7.50pm.

DI Thompson continued: “We understand how distressing the deaths of these cats have been to both owners and organisations concerned with animal welfare and we are determined to establish what has happened to them in order to get answers for owners.”

He said police had increased patrols in and around the areas that the cats have been injured or died, carried out house to house enquiries, viewed CCTV, taken statements from the owners and anyone who found an injured or dead cat. Police are still wanting to speak with anyone who has information.

The arrest in Brighton comes after the Metropolitan Police closed a probe into more than 400 cat deaths across London and the nearby counties.

The deaths had been attributed to the so-called Croydon Cat Killer, but the Met said there was no evidence of a crime. The deaths were put down to vehicle collisions and attacks by wild animals.

(c) Sky News 2019: Man, 52, arrested after 25 cats killed or injured in Brighton