A police investigation into two viral videos showing cats being viciously kicked by unknown thugs has shown the footage was filmed in Epsom.

One of the videos, posted on Facebook by Tyrese Collins from Catford, south-east London, has now been removed but was viewed more than 1.5 million times.

The second now has 325,000 views and more than 1,000 comments, with outraged social media users deeming the attacks "sick" and "evil".

Surrey Police are investigating the footage. A spokeswoman for the force said it is believed that one of the videos was shot on Wednesday, September 14 in Bloomsbury Close, Epsom.

In the first video, a young man is seen to be seemingly affectionately petting a cat on the street.

But then he suddenly kicks the feline with such force that it flies out of sight behind a nearby parked car.

In the second, a man in a hoody and trainers attempts to lure a cat over to him - and then sends it spinning across the street with a single violent strike.

Collins, who claims to work for JD Sports, captioned the second of the two videos: "Nahhhhhh this is getting out of hands now."

Surrey Comet:

While it isn’t clear who the animal abuser in the video is, who filmed the footage or where the attacks happened, Mr Collins has been condemned by commenters for flippantly posting the videos.

Jess Webb commented: "Why would you post this with your snapchat on it? So insensitive.

"Think you're so hard videoing animal abuse for likes. Get a grip."

Surrey Comet:

Chloé Howe said: "Not once but twice!! Sick in the f***ing head.

"What's those poor cats ever done except do what cats do??"

Sam Morris: "It ain't even funny it's sick! That's someone's animal!"

Pet Abuse UK has publicised the videos with a commentary condemning Collins for sharing the footage of the "defenceless victims".

In it, he is described as a “feral youth who finds cruelty to cats so entertaining”.

It continues: “One of the cats is tiny and [the man in the video] kicks her with such force that it’s hard to imagine she escaped with anything less than fatal injuries.

“The other cat – a sweet, friendly little thing who allows her attacker to pet her before he launches his attack – hits a stationary vehicle after being kicked.

“She too would've suffered great pain and distress.”

The RSPCA has confirmed they are investigating the attacks.

A spokeswoman said: "We were saddened to see this upsetting video, and we are currently looking into it further.

“We would encourage anyone with first-hand information about this incident to ring our emergency cruelty line on 0300 123 4999."

The videos were originally thought to have been filmed in south-east London and Lewisham Police arrested a 16-year-old on suspicion of animal cruelty on Wednesday.

He has since been eliminated from the investigation and Surrey Police will continue to make enquiries.

A spokeswoman for the force said: "Surrey Police is investigating a report of animal cruelty which was captured on video and circulated via social media.

"The incident is believed to have taken place on the evening of Wednesday 14 September in Bloomsbury Close in Epsom.

"The video was initially reported to the Metropolitan Police where a 16-year-old boy was arrested but later eliminated from enquiries.

"No further arrests have been made in connection with the incident at this time."

To offer information, call Surrey Police on 101, quoting crime reference number 45160081672.

Or you can report information online at https://report.police.uk/