Residents became concerned for the swan’s safety after it fell asleep in the road (Picture: Avon and Somerset Police/PA)

Police officers in Bath were called in recently after two runaway swans were spotted.

In a photo that sums up Britishness perfectly, an officer was snapped cordoning off the area one of the swans was sat in, before another lovingly wrapped the animal in his jacket and removed it from the road.

The tense incident took place on Thursday morning after members of the public became concerned for the swan’s welfare after it was seen having a nap on the busy road.

PCSOs Ashley Bintcliffe and Mike Symonds were first on the scene and placed cones around the swan to protect it.




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The officers eventually brought the situation to a peaceful finish (Picture: CATERS)

PCSO Symonds said they have dealt with swans before so were well prepared for the task.

‘We put blankets over their heads and bodies to pacify them, then we lifted them and carried them to the canal nearby,’ he told the Bath Chronicle.

Another swan was found in cemetery area nearby, unable to fly out.

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Heroes of the hour: PCSOs Ashley Bintcliffe and Mike Symonds (Picture: Avon and Somerset Police/PA)

Although neither swan was harmed during the incident, the officers were not so lucky.

PCSO Bintcliffe said: ‘They were young birds but pretty big and strong. Luckily they stayed quite calm, although one tried to give me a good pecking and the other left Mike needing a change of trousers.’

Anyone who has seen the 2007 film Hot Fuzz might recall a certain scene…