Greater Manchester Police have appealed for the public’s help after a swan was found dead at Queensmere Dam in Swinton.
Officers from GMP’s Swinton Neighbourhood Policing Team are investigating the incident, which happened at Queensmere Dam on Queensway, and are urging anyone with information to come forward.
Police say they are aware of widespread discussion on social media, with some people attempting to use artificial intelligence tools to identify the registration number of a vehicle believed to be involved. However, officers have confirmed that the registration numbers circulating online are incorrect, with multiple different numbers having been generated.
Instead, detectives are asking anyone who witnessed the incident, or anyone with information that could help identify the person responsible, to contact them directly.
A spokesperson for GMP Salford said:
“We are aware of an incident that occurred recently involving the sad death of a swan at Queensmere Dam, Queensway, Swinton.
“Local officers are investigating this matter and continue to do so but ask for the public’s help to identify the suspect involved.
“We are aware of lots of talk on social media and people using AI tools to try and obtain a registration of the vehicle involved from a picture taken. However, it is clear that these registrations obtained are incorrect, with numerous different registrations produced.”
Officers are continuing to review CCTV footage from the area as part of their investigation but say information from the public could prove vital.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Greater Manchester Police by calling 101 or using the force’s Live Chat service, quoting log 1668 of 25 June 2026. Information can also be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Police also issued a direct appeal to the person responsible, urging them to come forward.
The incident has caused considerable upset among local residents, many of whom have been checking on the remaining adult swan and its cygnets in the days since the incident.
The force added its thanks to members of the community who have continued to monitor the welfare of the surviving swan family and provide updates while the investigation continues.
