A family of swans are feared dead after being stolen from a Weymouth bird reserve in a shocking theft which has left wardens saddened.

Thieves ‘forcibly removed’ the protected birds – two adults and five cygnets – from their home in Radipole Lake.

Shockingly, some entrails were found along with feathers in a ‘neat pile’ close to where the swans rest up at night in the inner part of the lake. It is accessed by the Buddleia Loop trail towards the northern end of the popular wetlands reserve.

It is thought the thieves parked their vehicle used to transport the birds on the nearby Weymouth Way as a feather trail was discovered leading out of the reserve to a lay-by on the road.

Wardens say the theft of so many swans in one raid is ‘unheard of.’

Swans are protected under the 1981 Wildlife Countryside Act which makes it illegal to keep or kill them.

The theft has been reported to the police and visitors to the reserve are being asked to be vigilant for any suspicious activity in case the thieves strike again.

Swan warden Derek Davey said it was a ‘sad case’.

He said: “Five cygnets and two adult swans have gone missing from the inner part of Radipole Lake. The swans were found to be missing earlier in the week.

“Evidence points to the swans being removed, by whom it is not yet known.”

He added: “I have no idea why anyone would take them but I suspect harm has come to them. They have been removed by force.”

Mr Davey said the swans could not have flown away as one of the adults is in molt and the cygnets were also unable to fly. Also, swans are very territorial so other birds would not have let the family move onto their patch.

He added: “The missing swans have been reported to the police, and I ask people to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity around the Radipole Lake nature reserve, to take note of any vehicles and call the police on 101.”

The theft could have happened anytime in the past fortnight.

A Dorset Police spokesman said: “We received a report on Monday, September 3 that a family of swans – two adults and five cygnets – had gone missing and could not be located at the Radipole Lake RSPB reserve in Weymouth.

“An officer attended to make enquiries and speak with staff. Anyone with information can contact us on 101, quoting occurrence number 55180142488.”

* It is not the first time the reserve has been targeted.

The Echo reported in August 2015 that swans had been allegedly stolen from the site. A witness said they saw several people in waders loading swans in to the back of a van. There were concerns that the swans had been taken for their meat.