Parents and carers are being urged to keep children ‘well away from the deer at all times’ and to never allow them to approach or interact with the animals
People are being ordered to stay at least 50m away from deer in Richmond Park after ‘shocking and extremely concerning’ footage showed adults and children crowding the animals. The warning from the Royal Parks comes after footage shared on social media over the weekend showed a group of adults and children stroking deer in the park.
The red and fallow deer are “wild, powerful animals” and visitors should always stay at least 50 metres away, Richmond Park manager Paul Richards has stressed after seeing the footage. Richmond Park covers 2,500 acres and is a haven for wildlife but the deer are “powerful” creatures who can be “quick to react”.
Mr Richards said: “We are shocked and extremely concerned by footage shared on social media showing a group of adults and young children crowding around deer in Richmond Park, with children seen touching and stroking the animals. This deeply irresponsible and and create a serious risk of a tragic accident resulting in life-changing injuries or, in the worst case, a fatal incident.”
Mr Richards said: “Although they may appear calm, they can react suddenly and aggressively if they feel threatened. Stags can weigh more than 25 stone and run at speeds of up to 30 miles per hour, making them highly dangerous if visitors get too close.
Parents and carers were urged to keep children “well away from the deer at all times” and to never allow them to approach or interact with the animals.
He added: “Visitors should always stay at least 50 metres away – or further if the deer are moving – and never approach them for photographs or selfies. The deer are one of the park’s most iconic and valued features. But please – keep yourself, your families, and others safe, by giving deer the space they need.”
The Friends of Richmond Park said in a statement: “The Friends of Richmond Park is saddened to learn of a dangerous incident involving members of the public getting far too close to the Park’s deer over the weekend.”
Sharing the video on X, Amanda Boardman said she had “never seen it this bad” and called for the dedicated police unit for the eight Royal Parks in London to be brought back. The Met Police announced in 2025 in was disbanding the Royal Parks Police as part of cuts due to a 260million hole in its budget.
At the time, disappointed Richmond Council Leader Gareth Roberts raised concerns over the decision. He told the Local Democracy Service: “At a time when residents are already concerned about the visibility of policing, this decision will do nothing to reassure them. The loss of the specialist policing team would leave them more vulnerable to crime and antisocial behaviour. This is a huge mistake.”
Councillor Roberts said the parks need officers with specialist training and experience. Without the Royal Parks Police, he said, responsibility for the vast open spaces will fall to overstretched local officers who are already managing high demand elsewhere.
He added: “The Royal Parks Police provide a vital service, ensuring our parks remain safe and well-managed. Their work includes enforcing park regulations and responding to incidents quickly and effectively. Losing this specialist team places an additional burden on already overstretched local policing resources and risks leaving our parks unprotected.
“Our parks are essential for residents’ health and wellbeing. They must remain safe, and we will continue to push for the resources needed to protect them.”
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