The fun police do it again…

Swimmers are banned from using the River Thames without prior permission from the Port of London Authority under a new by-law.

The authority said the ban – introduced at the weekend – was needed for the safety of all river users.

It is worried about the growth in popularity of so-called "wild swimming" and the dangers it poses from tides and currents in particular.

Now swimmers will need prior written permission to swim anywhere in the Thames between Crossness in east London and Putney Bridge in south-west London.

PLA chief executive Richard Everett, said: "We have a responsibility not only to the individuals, but also to other river users.

"There’s always a risk that if a boat comes across a swimmer, it has to take evasive action and that puts the people on the boat at risk, as well as other boats."