Ministers urge City of London to act over swimmers in Hampstead Heath wildlife ponds

Ministers Mary Creagh and Emma Hardy wrote to Gregory Jones KC, chair of the Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queen’s Park committee, demanding action after swimmers splashed near swans and 12-day-old cygnets. Videos showed eggs and chicks being disrupted, including a swan poking an unhatched egg after it fell into water during the chaos. The pond has large signs warning people not to swim because it is a wildlife conservation area. The City of London called the scenes “utterly appalling,” and conservationists expressed dismay. The ministers cited the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, noting nests and eggs of wild birds are protected and that offences can bring unlimited fines and up to six months’ imprisonment per offence.

"The ministers asked what steps the City of London would be taking to prevent this from happening again, adding: As I am sure you are aware, under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, the nests and eggs of all wild birds are protected by law. This makes it illegal, with certain limited exceptions, to deliberately take, damage or destroy the nest of any wild bird while it is in use or being built, or intentionally take or destroy a wild bird's egg. An individual can receive an unlimited fine and up to six months in prison for each offence if found guilty."

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