POLICE are investigating after a swan was found ‘butchered’ at a Hampshire lake.

Officers are looking into the incident after a member of the public discovered the dead bird.

The bird was discovered on Saturday, February 6 and police are now investigating as they believe the animal was killed for food.

PC Stephen Rogerson of the Hampshire Constabulary Country Watch team said: "This is a sad incident which has happened at a popular local nature reserve which is frequented by many people.

"It is an isolated incident and it does not look like the swan has been killed by a predator, but there is suggestion that it has been killed for food in the way in which it had been butchered.

"Swans have statutory protection under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and it is an offence to intentionally injure, take or kill a wild swan."

The swan was found at Anton Lakes in Andover.

Anyone with information about this, or knows who is responsible should contact PC Rogerson on 101 quoting 44160056158.