An 'aggressive' buzzard is swooping on villagers in the East Midlands in a campaign of violence.

Residents in the village of Coleorton, Leicestershire, said the bird of prey attacks locals 'almost every day'.

One man suffered cuts across the top of his head from the buzzard's claws, running from his forehead to the top of his skull.

Local Samantha Thorpe, 36, told Leicestershire Live the bird tended to 'swoop down and just attack anyone who walks through the pathway' on her lane.

'I see people being swooped at almost every day, it's that bad. We've been living here since 2020, and it's been happening every year since then.'

The RSPB said it was likely the bird was breeding and instinctively protecting its nest.

But some parents have banned their children from walking down the path where the bird has made its nest.

A cyclist was knocked off their bike during one attack and was injured.

Ms Thorpe added: 'I don't go up this path any more. I have two kids and I don't let them go up there either, it's just too dangerous and my neighbours are of the same opinion.'

An RSPB spokesman said: 'Aggression can often be caused when birds feel threatened or are protecting their young.

'When faced with a bird showing aggressive behaviour, the best thing is to give them space, avoid the immediate area and even take an alternative route.'

Last year a South American bird of prey petrified residents of a Hertfordshire village during a divebombing campaign.

A Harris's hawk targeted villagers in Flamstead, with 'tall men' a favourite target.

It was unclear where the bird – a native of Brazil, Argentina, Chile and parts of the southwestern United States – escaped from but they are kept privately in the UK.

Whipsnade Zoo, just miles away from where the bird set up home, said the medium-large hawk, which feeds on squirrels and rabbits as well as lizards and snakes in its natural habitat, was not one of theirs.

Resident Roy Lambden was attacked on March 2 last year.

'It attacks from behind and you're surprised, you suddenly get a whack on the head – a number of people get their heads cut,' the 68-year-old said.

'Someone working in my garden got attacked twice and another friend of mine got cut on the head. It's moving around the village.

The hawk was captured in April last year by a physiotherapist who said the bird had followed for a mile on his daily jog, ''hopping along all the telegraph poles' before landing in his garden.

Aptly named Steve Harris, 40, said he finally caught the Harris's hawk by clambering on to his shed and throwing a cage over the bird.

Dozens reported head wounds and gashes caused by the feathery devil and Mr Harris himself had resorted to wearing a bike helmet while out running after being attacked twice.