Girl kicks swan while it is mating in canal in vile attack in Limehouse, East London

Police are trying to track down a girl who kicked a swan while it appeared to be mating in a canal on Friday afternoon.

A group of around 10 people could be seen gathering around the edge of the water in Limehouse, East London on Friday, before one girl lowers herself from the pavement and lashes out at the swan, which appeared to be mating. 

The girl and her friends follow the swan behind a group, where it flees after being kicked from above. 

A furious onlooker marches toward the group waving a pole at the group, unhappy with the vile attack.

The furious onlooker marched toward the group with a pole after a girl kicked a swan that appeared to be mating in Limehouse canal, East London

As an argument starts to break out, a boy in a blue t-shirt and cap appears from off camera and pushes the onlooker into the canal. 

The boy, wearing black short and a pair of sliders, is then seen riding away on a scooter, shouting ‘have that’.

Superintendent Andy Cox from Metropolitan Police said: ‘Awful viewing. Animal cruelty is an indicator of many other vile behaviours and a tendency towards other forms of violence. 

A boy wearing a blue shirt and a black baseball cap pushes the man into the water below 

‘The assault & anti social behaviour needs our action. Help us by letting us know who these offenders are via 101 or confidentially via crimestoppers.’

Twitter users reacted to the shocking footage, former police officer Mike Pannett wrote: ‘Who knew how deep that water was? That could have ended up in life changing injuries to that brave young man. 

‘Vile cowards and bullies of the highest order.’

Terry Morgan wrote: ‘Thought swans were protected? Even if not still shocking behaviour. Hope they are identified and caught. Scum bags.’

Some viewers were confused by the footage and thought the girl was trying to separate the swan.

The group watches on as the onlooker, still clutching on to his pole, falls into the canal in Limehouse

With the man who confronted them in the water, the group walks off. The boy who pushed him can later be seen riding away on a scooter

One viewer wrote: ‘These individuals were trying to stop one swan from attacking another. They were not attacking the swan!’

Another Twitter user points out: ‘They were mating.’

The RSPCA echoed the police’s call for witnesses, tweeting: ‘If anyone has further information on these individuals, please contact us on 0300 1234 999.’ 

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