Warning issued after children spotted petting ‘wild, powerful’ deer in London park

Parents have been criticised for letting their children stroke ‘wild, powerful animals’ living in a south London park over fears it could lead to a ‘fatal incident’.

Recent footage shows children and adults crowding deer at Richmond Park, prompting a warning from the Royal Parks.

Paul Richards, Richmond Park Manager, has told visitors to stay at least 50 meters away from the ‘wild, powerful animals’, who can be ‘quick to react’. 

Richards said: ‘We are shocked and extremely concerned by footage shared on social media

‘This is deeply irresponsible and can 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.’

He added that visitors should never approach the red and fallow deer for photos or selfies, noting that people should keep themselves safe by giving the 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.’

Photographer Amanda Boardman shared the video on X, writing: ‘I’ve never seen it this bad!’

She also called for the Park police to be brought back, a unit which was dissolved in 2025 due to a £260million hole in the Met Police budget.

In 2025, Richmond Council Leader Gareth Roberts labelled the disbanding of the police force a ‘huge mistake’. He told the Local Democracy Service: ‘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.’

The Royal Parks website further warns that from May 1 and July 31, it is deer birthing season. This can make deer behavior unpredictable.