Ipswich man stops swan blocking Princes Street bridge

Police officers attended the "quite unusual call to service" on the Princes Street bridge after reports of the bird wandering the street.

The swan hissed at those approaching it and caused some delays to those using the road concerned it may go into the path of cars.

The swan would hiss at those approaching it. (Image: Newsquest) Officers tried to guide the swan back to the river using Hi-Vis jackets before being assisted by Glen Thimblethorpe who picked the swan up from behind.

Mr Thimblethorpe said; "I saw how to do it online and it looked easy enough so I just thought sometimes you have to get in there and help. I do love helping animals." 

PC Darren Jenkins added; " It was quite an unusual call to service and has never happened before.

"Many concerned passer-by were alerting us to a swan coming past them and hissing." 

Police attended and approached the swan to guide it back towards the river. (Image: Newsquest)

Glen Thimblethorpe said he had seen online videos and picked the swan up. (Image: Newsquest) Mr Thimblethorpe then carried the swan back into the river where it swam away. 

The swan swimming away after an adventurous start to Monday. (Image: Newsquest) The incident closely mirrors a scene in the 2007 film Hot Fuzz, starring Simon Pegg. 

In the scene, Pegg's character, police sergeant Nicholas Angel, ends up chasing down an escaped swan with actor Nick Frost, who plays Danny Butterman in the movie.

At the weekend, officers have rescued a swan that was causing drivers to swerve in a 60mph road it was walking down in Stanway.

The two officers managed to safely capture the swan and took it to be a nearby vets' for it to be checked before it was released back to a suitable habitat.