CCTV images have been released of three individuals wanted by police after a swan was shot at a Swindon park.

At around 7.45pm on Wednesday, September 11 a loud bang was heard by a member of the public near the coffee building in Coate Water Park.

A swan was found dead immediately afterwards on the bank with a wound to its neck in an incident described by Wiltshire Police as an 'awful act.'

Three young males were seen running off towards the Coate Water roundabout shortly after the incident.

Now three weeks on from the shooting, officers have now released CCTV images of the three males who are wanted as suspects.

Police are looking for these three suspectsPolice are looking for these three suspects (Image: Wiltshire Police) A spokesperson for Wiltshire Police said: "On the evening of 11 September, a swan was found deceased upon the bank with a wound to its neck after a loud bang was heard.

"Following our witness appeal on 13 September, we would like to speak with the males in the photos attached in connection with the incident.

"If you recognise them, or have any more information on the incident, please contact us on 101 quoting reference 54240107750."

PC Harry Murphy of the Rural Crime Team added: “This is an awful thing to do to an animal, and we take incidents like this extremely seriously.

“Intentionally killing or injuring a wild bird is an offence and we will always seek to bring to justice those responsible."