Horror attack on swan in Gunnersbury Park

Gunnersbury Park has become the latest public space to become victim to a spate of mindless vandalism. Buildings within the park have been burnt down and this Boxing Day walkers in the park were horrified to see a swan in distress after being covered in green paint.

Animal welfare officers were called but were initially unable to capture the swan but returned the next day and took it to the Swan Sanctuary in Egham. The bird was reported to be in a very bad state with its nostrils blocked by the paint. At first workers at the sanctuary thought the swan would die but he has made a good recovery. However a female swan has disappeared from the park.

The spate of vandalism has brought about calls for greater security at the park. One local resident said, "We might not all mourn the passing of the 'parky' but at least they provided eyes and ears to ensure that vandalism didn't go unchecked. Now the park at night is populated by marauding bands of youths who know there is little chance of anyone coming to stop them destroying this lovely park."

At the end of last year both the football dressing rooms and the hut for the pitch and put have been set alight.

January 9, 2003