Warning as families seen petting 'dangerous' deer

Families visiting Richmond Park in west London have been seen trying to stroke and feed "highly dangerous" wild deer, prompting a warning from the Royal Parks.

Photographer Amanda Boardman, who posted the footage on Instagram, said she witnessed adults "thrusting their tiny children towards a group of young bucks with antlers", adding: "I've never seen it this bad."

Paul Richards, park manager at the Royal Parks, said the team was "shocked and extremely concerned" by the clip.

He said: "This deeply irresponsible and highly dangerous behaviour will cause the deer stress and create a serious risk of a tragic accident resulting in life-changing injuries or, in the worst case, a fatal incident."

He added: "Richmond Park's red and fallow deer are wild, powerful animals. Although they may appear calm, they can react suddenly and aggressively if they feel threatened.

"Stags can weigh more than 25 stone (159kg) and run at speeds of up to 30mph (48km/h), making them highly dangerous if visitors get too close."

The park manager said he urged parents and carers to "keep children well away from the deer at all times".

Richards added that the public should never approach or interact with the animals, and should always stay at least 50m (164ft) away, or further if the deer were moving.

"Never approach them for photographs or selfies," he said.

"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."

Boardman said that when she filmed the footage on Tuesday, it was not the only rule-breaking she observed.

"Several people rode bikes through the protected skylark nesting area, herding the deer, while others were feeding them," she said.

Boardman said she "felt sorry" for the Royal Parks charity team, which was under pressure in the summer to protect wildlife and manage an increase in visitors, many of whom were "unaware of the 50m rule", she said.

The photographer called on City Hall to reinstate Royal Parks Police, which were scrapped in November 2025 following budget cuts.

A spokesperson for the Mayor of London said that the Royal Parks were to be policed through local neighbourhood ward officers, but did not say when this would start.

They said it followed £1.26bn worth of investment for the Met, which had "significantly reduced" the level of cuts the force had been planning.

The spokesperson said the ward officers would be "visible, accessible and work proactively with local communities".

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