POLICE are searching for a group of young people who they suspect killed squirrels and birds found in a Wirral park.

Warning this story contains upsetting images

At around 7pm on Monday (April 24) officers received a report of a suspected incident involving animals in Eastham Country Park.

Officers on foot were alerted by members of the public to a dead squirrel and blackbird.

An eyewitness, who asked to remain nameless, said she and others had challenged a group of boys who were carrying golf clubs.

She said: "They were carrying golf clubs which they had been using to kill and then play with squirrels and young blackbirds.

Wirral Globe: A dead squirrel in Eastham Country Park A dead squirrel in Eastham Country Park (Image: Newsquest)

"They were hitting a baby blackbird around with their golf clubs when it was still alive.

"We took possession of the golf clubs after confronting them and they have now been passed to the police.

A spokesperson for Merseyside Police said: “It is suspected that youths had killed the animals and our enquiries are ongoing into the incident.

“If you have any information, DM @MerPolCC on Twitter, call 101, quoting reference 23000346261.

“For more information about wildlife crime and how to report an incident to police, visit the website: Wildlife crime | Merseyside Police.”