00:00Police were called to Hampstead Heath this afternoon as dozens of swimmers invaded the wildlife pond,
00:06which is what you can see behind me here.
00:08Where they should have been swimming was over here in Hampstead Heath's designated swimming areas.
00:15Now, it seemed as though everyone was following the rules at around 4pm this afternoon,
00:20but like a kind of domino effect, people just started diving in.
00:24Around a dozen swimmers jumped into the water, with some even making it as far as the other side before
00:30they were detected.
00:31Another swimmer jumped in with swans and babies just metres away.
00:35And this actually isn't the first time that swimmers have descended on the wildlife pond at Hampstead Heath.
00:40The problem has been so prolific that the City of London Corporation, who manage the Heath,
00:45have ramped up their security, installed extra signage and they've put up barbed wires.
00:50But it's hardly surprising that people are looking for somewhere to cool off when temperatures are in excess of 35
00:56degrees.
00:57In fact, a lot of the sunbathers, Tommy, they were quite literally waiting for the guards to leave,
01:01while others expressed their frustration at the limited places to swim.
01:05Time's desperate, it's a bit hot, so...
01:07You can't go in the Highgate ponds on the day anymore.
01:12You have to book online, so if there's a head...
01:13I mean, when you get here, seeing the security and the police presence is a bit, it's a little bit
01:18strange.
01:19But no, I wouldn't say it's justifiable to swim in there.
01:22Definitely not.
01:23I think that maybe they should corner off a section where you are allowed to,
01:28because I get they're doing wildlife stuff there, which is important to rehabilitate and people will annoy that.
01:35But the ponds, you can never book them, and they used to be free until Covid, and now you have
01:40to pay for them.
01:41But there probably should be more places, like within this massive park,
01:47there should be more places where you could turn up on the day and swim.
01:51Contrary to belief, the City of London Corporation is not stopping swimming because of bacteria in the pond.
01:56It's actually an effort to protect the wildlife sanctuary and to keep people safe without the presence of a lifeguard.
02:05So, let's go.
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