London heatwave strains emergency services and prompts illegal swimming at Hampstead Heath

Temperatures across London, including Havering and Hampstead, have surged above 30 °C, setting new weekly records. In Havering, refuse crews, police, fire and ambulance staff, NHS workers, teachers and other essential personnel have continued their duties despite the extreme heat, prompting public thanks for their resilience.

At Hampstead Heath, the heat has driven dozens of people to swim in the protected Model Boating Pond, ignoring “No Swimming” signs and newly‑installed barbed wire. The Hampstead Heath Constabulary and ParkGuard have been called to remove swimmers, and security guards report being threatened and unable to fine violators. The influx is linked to a shortage of free blue‑space and oversubscribed lidos, raising concerns about social‑justice and wildlife disturbance. Mayor Sadiq Khan’s “Heat Ready London” plan aims to improve access to cooling spaces.

Health officials note that the 2022 heatwave caused 400 premature deaths and thousands of A&E attendances, underscoring the public‑health impact of prolonged high temperatures.