TWO men tried to steal a swan from Earlswood Lakes.
The pair were scared off by walkers and workers at the popular beauty spot after grabbing at the animal, which is protected by law.
According to reports, the men had crouched down by the lakes to feed the birds, before tempting one closer and grabbing it.
After they were spotted, the duo retreated to their car, parked nearby, and were still there when police officers – summoned to the scene by members of the public – told them to move along.
Witness Rose Grantham, who is a gardener nearby, said: "It was awful seeing something like that. We get many people here feeding the birds and swans.
"I saw these two crouch down and one of them was tempting the swan, then he grabbed it.
"I started to open the door of my van when another lady appeared and told them to drop it and they did."
Swans – which were a popular delicacy in medieval times – are protected today, making it illegal to take or harm one.
But John Potts, rescue co-ordinator for the Swans and Friends group, said there were other serious consequences for any aspiring thieves.
Trying to help an injured swan one afternoon, he and his wife suffered cracked ribs and a broken nose between them.
"Thankfully thefts like this don't happen too much round here," he said.
"But if you're trying to grab a swan you can be hit by a wing and that is quite nasty; their wings are very, very strong."
He added: "The swans are very resilient to most things, but the thing is they are so humanised because people feed them, so they expect everyone to be kind.
"But some will lash out if you try and touch them."
Though police were called on April 9, no charges were brought against the two men.
