'Hot Fuzz' moment as lost swan causes traffic chaos

A police officer holding a swan wrapped in a community support officer jacketImage source, Tamworth Police
Image caption,

Officers said the animal had caused travel disruption

  • Published

A police officer "earned her Hot Fuzz badge" after rushing to the aid of a lost swan.

The long-necked bird was said to have caused travel disruption in Tamworth, Staffordshire.

But one officer, named by colleagues as Cathy, flew into action to assist it to safety and back into water.

Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, colleagues had fun likening it to an incident in the movie Hot Fuzz, external.

'Confused Riverdrive for River Tame'

Smiling, Cathy was pictured holding the animal after wrapping it in a hi-vis jacket.

Officers said they were called to Riverdrive, in the centre of the market town, just after 20:00 GMT on Sunday after reports of the swan in the middle of a busy road.

A force spokesperson said officers later rescued the swan before releasing it in a nearby river.

An iconic scene from the Edgar Wright fim, starring Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, sees a pair of hapless officers attempt to catch a runaway swan.

"Wishing you all a swan-derful start to the week," was posted on the Tamworth police X account.

"This beautiful bird mistook Riverdrive for the River Tame last night and caused a bit of traffic chaos.

"Cathy here was on hand to earn her Hot Fuzz badge and safely distribute the swan to their destination."

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It's not the first time UK officers have had to shepherd a swan to safety this year.

Hot Fuzz comparisons were made in October after police were called to usher a cygnet back to the River Avon in Bath when it ended up among shoppers.

That incident happened just 19 miles away from the Somerset cathedral city of Wells, where the 2007 comedy-action movie was filmed.

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