Tom Cruise has reportedly hired hawks to keep pigeons off the set of Mission: Impossible 8.

The actor, 61, has been spotted up and down the UK in recent months as production for the high-octane and iconic film franchise gets underway.

And handlers have now brought in the birds of prey to ward off pigeons while shooting scenes in London’s Trafalgar Square

The capital city is home to three million pigeons and thousands fill the Square every day.

A source told The Sun: ‘It was a clever move and meant the scenes were filmed without a hitch.’

It comes after Tom was seen battling a riot in London’s Trafalgar Square on Sunday as filming for Mission Impossible: 8 continued.

London was filled with American soldiers and police for the action packed scene with Tom seen outside an especially constructed tube station.

A green army tank stood outside the station while Tom’s character, Ethan Hunt, met up with Benji Dunn, played by Simon Pegg.

The pair shook hands, with Tom wearing a black leather jacket and Simon seen in a tan blazer.

The actor was recently back in the UK to film the eighth instalment of Mission Impossible and was spotted shooting in the heart of Westminster, just roads away from Downing Street.

The untitled film – which will likely be called Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part Two – is scheduled to come out May 23, 2025, after Dead Reckoning Part One was released in July last year.

MI:8 was supposed to hit cinemas this summer, but production had already been delayed due to the Hollywood writers’ strike.

Production on the eighth film had originally halted so that the cast could promote Part One, and then the strike began causing further delays.

The Mission: Impossible film series began in 1996 and is based on the 1966 television series of the same name.

As well as starring Tom, the eighth film will also see the return of stars Simon Pegg, Ving Rhames, Hayley Atwell, Pom Klementieff and Vanessa Kirby.

Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One underperformed at the box office compared to the previous films in the franchise, despite Tom’s attempts to extend its run.

Tom has been mixing work and play during his time in Europe, even partying the night away with his friends the Beckhams at Victoria’s 50th birthday bash on Saturday night.

While he was a VIP guest at Victoria’s, Tom missed his daughter Suri’s milestone 18th birthday last week.

Tom has been estranged from his youngest child since 2013, one year after he and her mother, Katie Holmes divorced.

Suri’s 18th birthday also signals the end of Tom’s reported $400,000 a year child support payment to Katie as per their divorce agreement.

The last photo of the Top Gun actor out and about with his daughter was a trip to Disneyland in 2012, the year his divorce from Katie was finalised.

At the time of their split, it was reported that Katie had chosen to end the couple’s marriage over fears about raising her daughter as a Scientologist – the religion that Tom has been dedicated to for decades.

It was reported last year that Suri is hoping to study fashion in New York from September.

A source told Dailymail.com: ‘Suri is applying to schools all over the place. [Katie] really does want her to stay in New York so they can be close to each other.

‘Katie takes great pride in her but is also extremely overprotective.’

While Suri looks forward to her future career Tom is still giving his all to his.

The Hollywood star has spent the past few weeks in the UK shooting Mission Impossible 8.

The untitled film – which will likely be called Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part Two – is scheduled to come out May 23, 2025, after Dead Reckoning Part One was released in July last year.

MI:8 was supposed to hit cinemas this summer, but production had already been delayed due to the Hollywood writers’ strike.

Production on the eighth film had originally halted so that the cast could promote Part One, and then the strike began causing further delays.

Scenes for the eighth installment have been shot across Derbyshire, Surrey and central London at landmarks including the Natural History Museum in Kensington and Westminster Bridge.