An animal lover is organising a benefit gig to support the charity hunting down the "Croydon Cat Killer".

The killer has been beheading cats and chopping off their tails, according to South Norwood Animal Rescue and Liberty (SNARL), an unregistered charity based in south London.

The animal rescue group believe the individual has slaughtered, dismembered and decapitated more than 250 cats since 2014.

Most of the killings have been in south London with deaths linked to the case identified in Crystal Palace, Charlton, Orpington and Petts Wood.

Angela Harvey, who lives in Bromley, organised the fundraiser after seeing a Facebook post and hopes the money can be used to increase CCTV coverage in vulnerable areas.

She said: “I have always been an animal lover, I’ve always been involved with animals. Somebody just posted about it on Facebook and it happens nearly every day, it was just heart breaking.

"It breaks your heart it makes you cry to think about it, he beheads them, cuts their tails off, and leaves them close to the owners. He upsets all the family.

“I was really hoping people will see this fundraiser and arrange something similar in their area.

“They [SNARL] just work all hours, they are so involved with the victims and the police force, I just thought, let’s get the ball rolling and do something to help.

“It breaks your heart it makes you cry to think about it, he beheads them, cuts their tails off, and leaves them close to the owners. He upsets all the family.”

It is feared the culprit could eventually move from animals to harming humans.

Tony Jenkins, one half of SNARL, told News Shopper last month:“My biggest fear is what happens if they started finding killing cats boring.

“The police are working very close with us. Everybody has responded fantastically and helping us.

“While the police are talking it very seriously, at the end of the day it’s only cats. My fear is that they will get bored of cats and eventually move onto humans."

Ms Harvey, who has helped distribute leaflets warning others of the killer, added: “It is really scary because it could be a child or some woman walking through the park.

“If we can get the ball rolling, if we can get it in different areas, CCTV in vulnerable spots, we can start to drive him out.

“It’s so grim that people don’t want to hear about it, I don’t want to spend too much time dwelling on what he does.”

The deaths are being investigated by the Metropolitan Police under the name Operation Takahe.

There is currently a £10,000 reward, offered by Peta and Outpaced, in return for information on the culprit who is also dubbed the M25 cat killer.

There is debate surrounding the mysterious killer, with some people suggesting another animal, such as foxes, could be to blame.

Music at the event on Saturday, March 25, will be provided by Robert Hokum, the Right Reverend Swifty LeZarre, and Frank Armstrong.

Doors will open at 7:30pm at St George’s Church, Bickley Park Road, Bickley and tickets cost £10.