More than a dozen swimmers were found cooling off among swans in the nature pond at Hampstead Heath on Friday, prompting police intervention. The swimmers had allegedly ignored barbed wire and clear signage erected by the City of London Corporation prohibiting entry into the water.
Police and ParkGuard respond to rule-breaking
Hampstead Heath Constabulary and ParkGuard worked together to bring the swimmers back to land. Many Londoners are desperate to cool off as the city's lack of free blue spaces leaves them with few options, often resorting to breaking rules. Before the Covid-19 pandemic, the Hampstead Heath ponds were free and required no booking.
Oversubscribed lidos and limited options
Lidos have become oversubscribed, offering little relief for those trying to escape the heat. Residents in poorer areas suffer the most during heatwaves due to limited access to green and blue spaces. On the Collingwood Estate in Sutton, south London, residents reported feeling like they are 'cooking' and experiencing heat exhaustion, with temperatures reaching 30°C by 4am, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
Mayor's 'Heat Ready London' plan
The Mayor of London announced plans to improve access to these spaces through his 'Heat Ready London' initiative. Sir Sadiq Khan told Metro: 'It is not just an issue of the environment, but of social justice. In the 2022 heatwave, we saw 400 premature deaths, 4,000 going to A&E, extreme challenges to our public transport and big pressure on the fire service.'
Broader trend of commercialisation
The issue extends beyond heatwaves. Over New Year's Eve, watching fireworks at iconic spots has become ticketed and commercialised. It was only 12 years ago, in 2014, when London's New Year's Eve firework display became ticketed for the first time. Popular free viewing spots such as Primrose Hill, Parliament Hill, St James's Park, Greenwich Park, and Vauxhall Bridge now close before the main event begins.
City of London Corporation statement
The City of London Corporation told The Standard: 'As well as our own Constabulary, we’ve put additional security and patrols in place across the Heath, particularly around the Lido and Model Boating Pond. Entering any other water body is extremely dangerous and risks both lives and wildlife. We want all visitors to enjoy their time on the Heath, and we’re asking everyone to behave responsibly, and respect the space and those who care for it.'
