Overview
- Over the late‑May Bank Holiday weekend large numbers of people entered the Model Boating Pond that is designated as a wildlife sanctuary and marked 'no swimming', with videos of people, inflatables and dogs circulating on social media.
- Wildlife campaigners reported that the pond held nesting swans, eggs and cygnets around 12–13 days old, and experts warned that noise, splashing and dogs risk causing parents to abandon nests and put chicks and eggs in danger.
- The City of London Corporation publicly condemned the conduct as 'utterly appalling' and rangers were seen installing additional 'no swimming' signage and ordering people out of the water while warning the Constabulary may issue fines or make arrests.
- Campaigners and local residents said enforcement has been inconsistent, saying swimmers often return after officers leave and that staffing and sustained patrols are needed to protect the sanctuary effectively.
- The surge in unauthorised pond use reflects pressure from overloaded lifeguarded ponds and booked lidos during the heatwave, a situation that raises both wildlife harms and public‑safety concerns for the Heath and its visitors.