A CYCLIST from Baughurst is recovering after becoming the latest victim of a spate of drive-by air rifle shootings.

The attack on the woman, who is in her 50s, happened as she was cycling in Shaw Lane, Baughurst.

Pc Damian Cotterill, of Tadley police station, said: "The victim, who wishes to remain anonymous, was overtaken by a black Suzuki Vitara.

"She has reported hearing a loud crack and then felt a burning pain in her right thigh - this later developed into a nasty bruise."

Tadley police believe that the weapon used is likely to have been an air rifle of the type that Jonathan Shaw, Labour MP for Chatham and Aylesford, is currently trying to criminalise through a Private Member's Bill.

The Baughurst incident is not an isolated one. Two pet cats were shot and killed in Tadley this summer and, again, police suspect that an airgun was used.

There have also been several incidents in the last week in the south of the county.

A female garage employee was shot by an airgun pellet at a drive-by incident in Bishop's Waltham on Tuesday, November 6, and, later that day, a dog walker in Bishopstoke and a pedestrian in Southampton were also targeted.

Pc Cotterill told The Gazette: "At the moment, anyone over 14 can purchase an air rifle quite easily.

"You don't need a licence to buy one and I think it would be better if we had some type of control. People should need a valid reason to own one of these weapons."

The Suzuki Vitara involved in the incident had wide wheel arches and possibly a green or yellow pattern on the back.

If you have any information which could help the police with their inquiry, please contact Pc Cotterill at Tadley on 0845 045 45 45.