Shots fired at dog walkers using Shrewsbury nature reserve

Tom Perring, 28, of Stapleton Road in Meole Brace, issued the warning after being fired at three times by an air rifle while at the Rea Brook Nature Reserve.

Mr Perring said the first shot went straight past his head while he was with his dog on Saturday at about 5.40pm.

He said: "I went down on Saturday walking my dog and he was in the brook swimming so I was stood watching.

"Then I heard the whisper of the rifle an I thought instantly that I know what it is.

"It went past my face and hit a tree and I thought 'I'm being shot at'."

Mr Perring said he was then shot at twice more as he tried to leave the reserve while covering his face with his arm.

He said: "I knew from owning and shooting air rifles myself, I was in danger and left the scene before being shot at twice more, covering my face with my right arm as a guard.

"I was shot at a total of three times."

Mr Perring, who is currently studying at Glynd?r University, said he rang the police as soon as he got home.

Officers visited his home as well as the nature reserve and he then shared the information on Facebook as a warning to others in the area.

A west Mercia Police spokesman said this afternoon: "Patrol officers did attend the area but not suspect could be found.

"It is an offence to fire a missile beyond any premises boundary from an air weapon. Police can also prosecute for assault should a missile be fired at a person with intent to cause injury.

"Police from the Safer Neighbourhood Team will be providing extra patrols in the area in a bid to locate any offenders and provide extra reassurance to the public."

Mr Perring said: "The entry has been shared around the town and has reached nearly 10,000 people online.

"It's also made me aware other incidents of gun shots being fired at kids from Meole Village has also been occurring.

"It really has put me off going during the day – I wasn't scared but I was just shocked.

"I just want people to be aware and to be careful when they are down there."

The Rea Brook Fishing Shrewsbury Facebook page shows a number of other people have also experienced shots being fired at them in the area.

If you have any information about this incident, contact Shrewsbury police on 101 quoting incident reference 0508S 300416. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or at crimestoppers-uk.org