Police have stepped up patrols around a nature reserve after a man allowed his son to kick the nest of a rare bird.

The incident was spotted by nature wardens at Wilderness Island in Carshalton at the end of April.

The man was leaning on the bank while his eight-year-old son kicked a kingfisher's nest - despite signs indicating it is a nature reserve and that wildlife should not be disturbed.

A pair of the birds had been nesting at the site but have not been seen since the incident.

Kingfishers are a rare and easily disturbed bird and are afforded the highest level of legal protection meaning it is an offence to take, injure or kill a Kingfisher or to take, damage or destroy its eggs, nest or young.

Now police are scaling up patrols in the area and have threatened anyone spotted breaking the law with a fine of up to £5,000 or even a six month prison sentence.

The incident was handled by nature wardens from the London Wildlife Trust but in future they have been advised to contact police if they see anything similar.

If you see any similar incidents, you can call police on 999.