Rowers in Cambridge targeted by catapults and air rifles

Rowers said they have been targeted by people firing fishing catapults and air rifles while they are on the water.

The antisocial behaviour was reported to have taken place on a gravel towpath alongside the River Cam between Chesterton and Horningsea, near Cambridge.

Rowing coach Ed Parkhouse, 32, said it was “pretty surreal” and mostly occurred outside of school hours.

Cambridgeshire Police said it had not received any recent reports of catapults or air rifles being used in the area, but urged people to report all antisocial behaviour.

Mr Parkhouse said it was typically groups of children, believed to be between 10 and 15, going up and down the towpath using items such as fishing catapults and air rifles as “intimidation objects”.

“You can’t help but feel a bit uneasy at it,” he said.

“It’s pretty surreal when you think about it, it’s not the normal experience you have of going outside in the public in the UK.

“It’s representative of a tiny minority but as and when these instances occur people don’t really want to be in the vicinity of them.”

Mr Parkhouse said he had witnessed catapults and air rifles being fired in the vicinity of rowers as well as people shouting profanities.

Other coaches also reported mud being thrown at rowers.

Cambridgeshire Police said: “We would urge people to report antisocial behaviour to us through the force website or via the telephone on 101.

“Reporting antisocial behaviour to us means we can build up a picture of what is going on and act accordingly.”