Yobs kill duck with brick

A furious Lichfield councillor has hit out at the "mindless yobs" who brutally killed a duck in a drunken attack in which the defenceless bird was battered with a brick.

Lichfield rural east's county councillor, Matthew Ellis, has spoken out after the remains of a local river duck were found with the brick and surrounded by empty booze cans and half-full bottles of spirits in Fazeley on Sunday.

He said several local residents had reported to police that a large group of youths were causing a nuisance.

Councillor Ellis said "noise, bad language and general rowdiness" continued until around midnight and the dead bird and remains of alcohol were found by residents early the next morning.

He said: "The appalling behaviour which is happening in the Mile Oak and Fazeley area has to stop.

"This latest incident where a river duck was brutally killed for no reason shows the type of idiots causing difficulty have to be dealt with accordingly. My patience, or what is left of it, is fast running out.

"Significant work is taking place to improve facilities in this area, particularly for young people, and there is more to come but there is a hardcore of youths who are regularly causing concern and intimidation among local residents.

"This latest incident just confirms my determination to see a major crackdown on anti-social behaviour so that those who simply won't or can't be normal members of society are dealt with robustly.

"I'm talking to top Trent Valley police commanders this week and I want to see tough action taken immediately."

An alcohol restriction comes into force shortly in Fazeley and proposals are to be put forward to cover the whole Fazeley and Mile Oak area with a similar restriction order.