THE KILLING of a decapitated cat is being linked to dozens of other cases being investigated by the Metropolitan police's major crime unit.

Ten year old tortoiseshell Jiji's body was found on a path behind Dean Gardens in Portslade last week.

Investigators who have now studied Jiji's body and the scene where she was found and are convinced that the same "serial killer" is behind at least 20 cat killings in the London area.

Tony Jenkins of south London animal charity SNARL said: "Jiji's case is very very similar to the other cases we have seen.

"The way the head was cut off and the way the body and head were laid out.

"It is not just the killing of cats but mutilating them in a particular way that leads us to that conclusion.

"What we think this guy does is put cats back in the gardens or where he found them.

"The RSPCA and the detective from the major crime squad agree it is not just a coincidence. "

In all of the cases the deaths were caused by blunt force trauma, followed by cuts to the bodies made with a bladed weapon.

Mr Jenkins said Jiji's body had also been laid out in a "ritualistic" manner - but would not disclose any further detail in case of copy cat killings.

The official death toll stands at 27, though Mr Jenkins believes it could actually be upwards of 150 with cases as far afield as Luton, Bristol and Reading.

The links between the cases were only confirmed towards the end of 2015, but investigators suspect the perpetrator has been torturing and mutilating victims across the South East of England for at least two years.

SNARL - made up of Mr Jenkins and his partner Boudicca Rising - are leading the investigations as police generally do not investigate animal crimes, leaving cases to the RSPCA.

And the RSPCA generally only investigate when there is a named suspect.

However, with the number of confirmed cases growing, the Metropolitan Police has become involved in the wider search for the cat killer and Sussex Police is investigating Jiji's case.

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said that Detective Sergeant Andy Collins of their major crime team was investigating a number cat killings in and around Croydon but said that Jiji's case would be lead by local officers.

Sussex Police said they were aware of the London cases but had not yet confirmed a link.