A Tadworth family has paid tribute to their beloved pet cat who is believed to have been killed by the so-called Croydon Cat Killer.

Whisker’s un-timely death is another on a list of more than 400 animal deaths linked to a single perpetrator, also known as The UK Cat Killer.

The tribute from the family read: “Whiskers wasn't just a cat, she was family.

“She had such a big personality and I can't explain how much she is missed.

“We are absolutely heart broken, not for the fact alone of losing her but the way she was taken from us.

“I beg you all to keep a close eye on your pets as you don't think anything like this would happen to you.

“She never left our property and we thought she was safe, when she went missing we knew something was wrong.

“She was found dead recently, decapitated and her death has been linked to the UK animal killer.

“She was found in Tadworth area.

“Whiskers was a true character, me and my mother miss her every day.

“She was our company and our baby. I can't believe how somebody is able to do something like this.”

Police have offered a £10,000 reward for information leading to the killer, who has been linked to more than 400 deaths since 2015.

The police have been working together with SNARL to catch the killer. The investigation, called Operation Takahe, is based out of Croydon and includes police from multiple London boroughs.

Until the perpetrator is caught, the official advice is to keep pets indoors as much as possible, especially at night and to ensure gardens are secure, as the person responsible is known to enter back gardens.

If anyone has any information on who may be committing these offences, contact the Operation Takahe Team on 020 8649 0216, the police on 101 (quoting Operation Takahe) or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.