I live in Mitcham Cricket Green conservation area, just off Church Road. I was walking along our close yesterday morning and I found a cat that had been killed and decapitated and left by the pavement - consistent with the behaviour of the so-called Croydon cat killer.

I reported the killing to the police, who responded swiftly and came out to the close. They were aware of the ongoing problem and took the body away for forensic analysis. After knocking on the doors in the close they also discovered the cats body had been found closer to another house, and one of the residents of that house admitted to moving the body to where it was found.

We're not sure who the cat belongs to - we asked around the close, but no one so far has claimed it as theirs - there's a possibility it may have been a stray left by a previous resident of the close.

It's obviously disturbing to see this occur in the area you live in - I've spoken to South Norwood Animal shelter who have been monitoring these killings, and to the RSPCA, who are also aware of what's happened. We're keen to get any more information that might help catch the individual carrying out these crimes.

Article supplied by Stuart Wilkes