Police and RSPCA appeal for information over video of woman ‘kicking swan’ and intervening onlooker pushed into canal

Woman tried to separate swans because she thought they were fighting, witnesses say

Intervening man in the canal after getting pushed in (Twitter)

Police and the RSPCA have appealed for information after a woman appeared to kick out at a pair of swans before an intervening man was pushed into a canal in London.

Video posted to social media on Friday shows the young woman holding onto a ladder on the edge of the canal in Limehouse, east London before lowering herself to the water.

She then appears to swing a leg at the two birds as a crowd of around 10 people – mostly youths – watch on. An older man carrying a pole can then be seen confronting the group.

A short discussion ensues before the older man is pushed into the canal by a young male who then flees the scene on a scooter.

The group of young people, including the woman who allegedly kicked out at the swans, then walk away along the canal towpath.

A spokesperson for the Met Police said the force is investigating the incident. No arrests have been made.

“At approximately 14:15hrs on Saturday, 27 June, police received a third party report of a man assaulted in Limehouse Basin, E14,” the spokesperson added.

“Enquiries into the incident, including to identify those involved, continue.”

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 or tweet @MetCC and quote CAD 4621/27June.

Witnesses have told MailOnline that the woman thought the birds were fighting and she had been trying to split them up.

In a tweet, the RSPCA said: “We are urging anyone with information about these individuals to contact us on 0300 1234 999.”