Police believe they have identified a man who tortured and abused young lambs in a video filmed in Somerset.

The man can be seen to throw the animal in a field and off a building, encouraged by a voice in the background, in the two-minute clip, which circulated on WhatsApp last week.

Stephen Corbishley, the Commissioner of Police, tweeted this afternoon: “All — this is a shocking and abhorrent video @BermudaPolice is aware of.

“We believe we know the identity of the person involved and are seeking his arrest today alongside the person filming.

“More info will be released to the media as we progress @Cmmr_Corbishley.”

A Department of Environment and Natural Resources said: “We are saddened by the depraved actions that are depicted on the video, which is suspected to have been made within the last week or so.”

The lambs are believed to be from Westover Farm in Sandys. It is understood they had received veterinary attention and were safe and well.

The department has begun its own investigation.

Anyone who can provide information or help identify the persons on the video is asked to contact Somerset Police Station 295-0011, or Crime Stoppers at 800-8477.

• The Royal Gazette apologises if scenes on the video cause offence, but has taken the decision to publish it in the interest of assisting the authorities in apprehending the individuals behind the depraved acts. The video has been edited to mute profanity