Parliament Hill Lido closes twice after bottle attack and brawls

Parliament Hill Fields Lido in Hampstead Heath closed twice in May after violent incidents, including a man being hit with a broken bottle. The closures followed a Bank Holiday weekend brawl that left staff injured and a vehicle damaged. Two people were arrested but later released without charge.

The City of London Corporation, which manages the site, introduced new security measures on 29 May. Unaccompanied under-16s are now barred from entering, and random bag searches have been implemented. Ten-foot walls were erected around the perimeter to deter intruders.

Incident details and police response

Metropolitan Police officers responded to reports of an altercation at the lido at 16:56 on 25 May. A 15-year-old boy and a man in his 40s sustained minor injuries. A 17-year-old and a 25-year-old were arrested on suspicion of affray but released pending further investigation.

A witness, who works as a waitress at the lido’s café, told the Daily Mail that youths had forced their way onto the site. She said, "We have a lot of break-ins. They stole a wine bottle from us and smashed it on this guy's head. A lot of them were really drunk and they pushed a lifeguard in."

Broader impact on London lidos

Leisure operator Better reported a 30% increase in visitors to its London outdoor pools between June and August 2025, with 524,988 attendances. The surge in numbers has coincided with a rise in anti-social behaviour across multiple sites, including Tooting Bec Lido and Ruislip Lido.

At Tooting Bec Lido, wristbands are now mandatory, and up to six security guards patrol on peak days. Ruislip Lido saw crowds swimming despite a red warning flag indicating hazardous conditions. Hampstead Heath’s Model Boating Pond also experienced disturbances, with swimmers ignoring no-bathing signs and playing loud music near nesting swans.

What happens next

The City of London Corporation’s new rules remain in place indefinitely. Residents and visitors can report anti-social behaviour or safety concerns to the Metropolitan Police on 101, quoting reference CAD5578/25MAY. Anonymous reports can be made to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.