Pet owners are being warned to be on high alert after a cat was found decapitated in Maidstone - thought to have been a victim of the so-called Croydon Cat Killer.

Police are searching for a single person believed to be responsible for the deaths and mutilations of as many as 100 moggies in the last year, mostly in the south London area.

It is now thought the killer may have struck in Maidstone, after a cat’s body was discovered in a front garden with its head missing.

Ella, a 15-year-old known affectionately as Mit Mit, hadn’t been seen since July 4.

South Norwood Animal Rescue and Liberty (SNARL), who are working with the RSPCA and the Met Police on the Operation Takahe investigation, confirm that having seen the body they believe the pet’s death was the work of the Croydon Cat Killer.

Following the grim discovery, Ella’s owner, who wanted to remain anonymous, posted: “We’ve had her since she was eight weeks old.

“She was very shy around strangers, but showed her loving side to me. She lived a very happy life in a normal family home, which now feels empty.

Let’s catch these evil people before they strike again.”

"She lived a very happy life in a normal family home, which now feels empty" - Ella's owner

SNARL founders Tony Jenkins, 51, and partner Boudicca Rising, 45, said: “We now have 28 cases confirmed by post mortem, with around 70 since February which bear the hallmarks of what is believed through forensic evidence to be the same killer.

“Most of the attacks are occuring across a wide area in greater London, but we have also collected bodies from St Albans, from Northamptonshire, from Brighton, Maidstone, Manchester and Birmingham with identical wounds and are awaiting post mortem results to either rule these cases in or out of the investigation.”

The couple are urging cat owners to keep their pets indoors at night and to report anyone seen acting suspiciously around animals.

If you find an animal that has been mutilated call SNARL on 07961 030064 or 07957 830490.