An animal welfare group is investigating after a cat's head was found in a garden in Dartford.

South Norwood Animal Rescue and Liberty (SNARL) - which has worked with police investigating the so called "Croydon Cat Killer" or "UK Animal Killer" - has been notified after the remains were discovered in the Willow Road area.

The find was originally reported in an anonymous post on the Dartford Gossip Facebook page, which said: "This evening my husband unfortunately found the head of a cat in our garden (doesn’t look like it’s been done by another animal).

"We will obviously be calling the RSPCA tomorrow morning but wanted to warn those with outside cats."

Following further advice the SNARL group was contacted and said they were in the process of collecting the remains.

The group has investigated hundreds of animal killings around the South East attributed to the "Croydon Cat Killer" in recent years.

However, in 2018 the Metropolitan Police concluded that the mutilations had not been carried out by a human and were probably the result of wildlife predation or scavenging on cats killed in vehicle collisions.

Some experts have stated the view that the Croydon Cat Killer phenomena is an example of a "moral panic".

SNARL remain committed to investigating the cases and have warned owners to keep cats indoors dusk till dawn if possible and ensure rabbit hutches are padlocked and gardens secured.

A leaflet distributed by the group states: "The incidents known as the #ukanimalkiller killings are being investigated by the SNARL team in conjunction with other organisations.

"Please contact us on 020 80587778 or 07961 030064 or via SNARL Facebook messenger if you find any mutilated animals or body parts of if you see anyone behaving suspiciously around cats, rabbits or foxes.

"If you see anyone harming an animal please contact the police on 999 or the RSPCA on 0300 1234999."

The latest incident comes after a heartbroken family spoken out after their beloved pet cat was found decapitated on a driveway in Folkestone.

Read more: All the latest news from Dartford