A cats protection group has now stepped in to help round up a rowdy feline that has been causing havoc for pet owners and injuring house cats for weeks.

The Cats Protection Epsom, Ewell and District Branch is hoping to catch a cat dubbed the Fang Tom Menace, which has been prowling the School Lane area of Tolworth for about eight weeks.

Pamela Green, from the branch, said a feeding plan had been created to lure the cat to the same spot each day. Traps would then be set up to try and catch him.

She said: "We are trying our very best but you can't force a cat to do what you want it to do.

"We have cages to trap cats and we need to do this with feral cats to trap and release them back into the wild because many cats once they become feral won't live with people."

If he is found not to be neutered, the branch will also neuter him, she added.

Tolworth resident Cara Hallsworth-Green’s elderly cats have suffered from stress since the large tabby swaggered into the area.

She said she would like him "picked up, treated, neutered and moved somewhere else".

The majority of those living nearby want to move on the moggy but the mystery continues as to why he remains.

Ms Hallsworth-Green said: "No one has come forward to say they own him, I’m not feeding him as I don't want him staying near my house attacking my cats, and I think a lot of people feel the same, but he must be eating somewhere."

Some residents think he may simply be acting out because he is in need of some affection, but others have reportedly tried and failed to get close to the cat.