Big cat sightings
5 August 2025
Request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 Ref No:FOI2025/05849
I write in connection with your request for information received on 8 July. I note you seek access to the following information:
Please can I request the following information...
Within the last 5 years, how many 'big cat' sightings have been recorded within the counties of Devon & Cornwall?
(This would exclude anything regarding 'domestic-size' cats, with the report potentially mentioning either panther/black leopard, lynx or puma/mountain lion-type sightings/encounters)
Broken down by month and location if possible.
Could the approx. location of each sighting please be disclosed, as well as whether an officer followed-up, in-person, on the report - and if there was any outcome to the animal
Clarification received:
Apologies - I meant in Bedfordshire
I am required by the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (The Act) to handle all requests in a manner that is blind to the identity of the requestor. Any information released in response to a request is regarded as being published and therefore, in the public domain without caveat.
Following enquiries within Bedfordshire Police Force please see our response below.
|
Storm Incidents - Large/Big Cat |
||||||||||
|
Count of Incident Reference |
Y/M |
/ |
/ |
/ |
/ |
/ |
/ |
/ |
/ |
/ |
|
|
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
Grand Total |
||||
|
Incident Category / Word search / Town |
Jan |
Apr |
Jan |
Aug |
Sep |
Feb |
Oct |
Aug |
Oct |
|
|
Animals/wildlife |
1 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
11 |
| Large/big cat |
1 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
7 |
| Bedford |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
| Dunstable |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
| Flitwick |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
| Henlow |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
| Houghton Regis |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
| Linslade |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
| Luton |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
| Panther |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
| Kensworth |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
| Luton |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
| Puma |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
| Houghton Regis |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
| Pulloxhill |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
Grand Total |
1 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
11 |
The numerical data presented in this response is an un-audited snapshot of un-published data sourced from "live" systems and is subject to the interpretation of the original request by the individual extracting the data.