POLICE have reacted with horror after a peregrine falcon was shot and killed near Northleach.

In a Tweet sent this evening, @GlosPol_Rural described the incident as a 'despicable act on an iconic bird of prey'.

Officers posted these two pictures of the dead bird.

They tweeted: "One of just a few of our rare peregrine falcons shot near Northleach with a shotgun."

Anyone with information should call 101 quoting incident 349 of August 16.

PC Ashley Weller is the investigating officer.

Peregrines are protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act.