CONCERNS are growing that a swan crisis may be developing on the River Lee.

Unconfirmed reports of swans being stolen, either to be killed and eaten or to be sold on for profit, have continued since the Independent reported a fall in the number of swans in October and, as the elegant birds' nesting season approaches, fears are peaking.

A meeting was held at the Civic Centre at the end of April for community police officers from both Enfield and Haringey, councillors and environmental groups to discuss the next step in the crackdown on poachers of swans and other wildfowl on the River Lee.

Swans have gone missing from a long stretch of the river, with the main focus on the area from Enfield Island Village down to Markfield Park, Tottenham.

More than 100 swans disappeared last October and police are concerned the same will happen again after reports of several incidents in recent weeks, and the gruesome discovery of decapitated swans' heads on towpaths. Officers are urging anyone who witnesses anything suspicious to call their local police station or ring 999.

PC Roger Mitham, a community officer based in Tottenham, is working closely with the Ponders End community team to combat the problem.

He told the Independent: "Swans do actually belong to the Queen, and it is theft and criminal damage to take them. This is the nesting season and should more go missing, we could lose our swan population.

"If it transpires that this is going on regularly, we will be looking to patrol the river and arrest those people involved."

PC Bev Fish, of the Ponders End community policing team, added: "The frustrating part for us is that we are not usually able to respond directly because of the time between the incident and when we find out."

A spokeswoman for Enfield Council said: "Any attacks on swans are a criminal offence and anyone who sees an incident of this nature should report it to the police."

If you see any swans or wildfowl being taken, or have any helpful information, call PC Fish on 8345 1362 or call CrimeStoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.