Man arrested in connection with Brighton cat deaths

Police said an arrest was made after a cat was injured near Queens Road on Friday May 31. The cat has since died.

A local 52-year-old man was arrested on Sunday on suspicion of criminal damage and possession of an offensive weapon in a public place, police said. He has been released on bail until June 28.

Detectives have been investigating deaths or injuries to cats in the city over the past 18 months in what’s known as the ‘Brighton Cat Killer’ case.

Leading officer Detective Inspector Chris Thompson said: “We understand how distressing the deaths of these cats have been to both owners and organisations concerned with animal welfare and we are determined to establish what has happened to them in order to get answers for owners.

"Police resources have been used in the wider investigation in an attempt to establish exactly what has happened to these cats.

“We increased patrols in and around the areas that the cats have been injured or died, there have been house to house enquiries, we've viewed CCTV, taken statements from the owners and anyone who has found an injured or dead cat and continue to speak with anyone who has come forward with information about these incidents."

On Wednesday, more than 30 residents gathered at The Cowley Club to discuss the need to raise awareness after a spate of attacks in May.

Naming themselves Brighton Community Cat Action Team (CCAT), they urge the community to be more vigilant. One volunteer said: “We have to be the eyes and ears of the street.”

DI Thompson said police are looking to speak to a witness who ‘may hold vital information to our investigation’.

The man is described as white, around 5’ 8”, in his 20s or 30s, of medium build, with long dark wavy hair and was wearing sunglasses.

DI Thompson said: “We believe he may have stroked the cat before it was injured around 7.50pm on Friday.”

Witnesses should contact police on 101 quoting Operation Diverge.