A reward has been set for the capture of thugs who slaughtered a swan in Finsbury Park and stole her seven young.

The cruel rustlers hacked off the head of ten-year-old mute swan Queenie as she fought to defend her cygnets on Saturday night.

Now Friends of Finsbury Park, which helps to look after the parks wildlife, has called for stronger security measures to prevent similar crimes happening.

Queenie was found lying in a pool of blood on an island in the parks boating lake by Friends of Finsbury Park members Maxine Phillips and Les Pope.

The seven cygnets which were her offspring had disappeared and her mate, Boris, swam forlornly nearby. She was buried on the island.

A reward of £500 has been offered for information leading to the capture of the killers. It is believed Queenie and her young were the victims of an illegal trade in wildlife involving collectors in London and the Middle East.

Bruce Kent, treasurer of Friends of Finsbury Park, has called for local London boroughs to cooperate in making the park and its wildlife more secure. Haringey Council currently manages the park.

He said: This was a terrible and tragic event. I dont think theres much you can do to stop these maniac people. Haringey, Hackney and Islington councils should get together and recognise the value of the park. They should spend money on improving security, and increasing patrols to protect wildlife.

This isnt the first time we have had other animals taken from the pond, though never swans until now. People have seen ducks taken and put into bags and removed.

A spokesman for Haringey Council said requests for more action to improve park security would be considered, but resources were very limited.

He said: Finsbury Park is locked at night, but we have had problems with vandals breaking through the fences. We think what happened to the swan was appalling.

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