A family of swans have been found with multiple bullet holes.

Swan Support, based in Datchet, care for swans up and down the River Thames, has reached out to the public with a statement reading: "We need your help."

The charity had been following a family of swans on the Grand Union Canal at Langley who had 12 cygnets.

On Monday, July 17, Swan Support received a call to say the male and one cygnet had gone missing and that the female who was caring for the cygnets was bleeding from her face and neck.

Rescuers rushed to the scene and found the female had been shot. She was treated and released with the charity monitoring her.

Just hours later a cygnet and the male swan were found dead close to Mansion Lane, with multiple shot wounds.

"Our hearts are broken with another family torn apart because of mindless and deliberate acts of cruelty," Wendy Hermon, Swan Support owner said.

"This can’t keep happening - more needs to be done to raise awareness and protect our wildlife.

"We will be urging Thames Valley Police to support us in investigating this and ask you to please do the same.

"Each and every time we attend to heartbreaking instances such as these, it has a lasting impact, which we never get over."

Thames Valley Police received the report at 8pm on Monday, July 17. The incident is being treated as criminal damage.

A spokesperson for the force said: "An investigation into the incident took place and has now been filed pending further information coming to light.

"If anyone has information please call 101 or make a report online quoting reference number 43230317359."