Nala, the Stevenage railway station cat, was reportedly kicked in an incident on Sunday, November 19.

According to an eyewitness, a group of teenagers were walking from the railway station towards the Leisure Park at around 6.40pm when one of them aimed a kick at Nala.

Reportedly, when a bystander tried to intervene, they were threatened by one of the teenagers. Staff at the railway station reportedly then stepped in to help calm the situation down.

Nala's owners took to social media to say that they were "deeply saddened" by the incident, and reassured worried members of the public that "Nala is fine and seems unfazed".

They reported that Nala had "returned to the station almost immediately", and he has since been seen in photos with dozens of railway passengers.

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The owners also confirmed that they have no plans to keep Nala at home as a result. They said: "We strongly feel that keeping Nala indoors due to the actions of a small number of individuals would be cruel and unfair to him - within minutes Nala would be scratching at the window to go out!"

The owners also thanked the bystander "who stood up for Nala", and said that they "hope that the police will bring the perpetrators to justice".

A spokesperson for British Transport Police said: "We are aware of reports of Nala the cat being kicked and individuals acting in a threatening manner at Stevenage railway station between 6.40pm and 7.25pm on Sunday, November 19.

"Enquires into this incident are ongoing, and anyone who witnessed it or may have information this is asked to contact the British Transport Police by texting 61016, quoting ref 2300137814."

Nala has become a hugely popular presence at Stevenage railway station, with photos and videos of him going viral and reaching media outlets across the world.

He recently released a charity Christmas single, which he will be presenting at the Stevenage Christmas Light switch on this Saturday (November 25) at 4.45pm.