Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Harri Evans & Alex Whilding & Milica Cosic

People living in fear as violent seagulls take over town 'like being back in lockdown'

Villagers have been left petrified after seagulls have stepped up from swiping ice cream s - and are now taking over their town.

The pests have taken over a UK village and, according to locals, many people have been left needing hospital treatment following the attacks.

Others have said they are now "living in fear" of the gulls.

Local Gareth Parry, who has lived in Llanfairpwll, North Wales for several decades, says the situation is worse than it has ever been before.

According to him, the birds are causing complete "havoc", and people living there have been left needing tetanus shots after being attacked.

The swooping gulls have left villagers too afraid to leave their homes (Getty Images)

He went on to tell North Wales Live that primary school pupils have been left too scared to attend classes in fear that they will be swooped on by the gulls.

Anglesey Council should step in and find a solution Gareth adds, saying the issue has worsened since the arrival of chicks - which can make seagulls more aggressive in order to protect their young.

Speaking about the growing problem, Gareth said: "This is a problem that we've been having every summer for years now but this year it's even worse. Once the seagulls have their chicks, they become extra aggressive to the point where you think twice about leaving the house. They nest near the houses, on the streets, and across the village centre, and if you get anywhere near one of them, you'll get attacked by three or four of them.

"Some people I know have had to go to hospital for tetanus shots and there was one woman recently who injured her arm quite badly after falling while being attacked. I was talking to people on my street the other day and they said they won't take their dogs out for a walk because they're afraid of being bombarded - it's that bad. It's like being back in lockdown for some people, but at least in lockdown you could walk your dog without being attacked."

It is illegal to disturb any nesting bird in some parts of the UK (Getty Images/EyeEm)

He added: "Before the schools shut for the summer holidays, some of the pupils were afraid to go in because the seagulls had nested in the building next door. I know of some of them who didn't go to school in fear of being dive bombed by seagulls on their way in the morning.

"When the chicks start to grow and walk around the village by themselves, that's when the problems seem to start. The seagulls are obviously protective of them and they'll attack anyone who comes anywhere near them. I've had them dive towards me but I've not been bitten or attacked yet. If there's a chick anywhere near my garden, I know I won't be able to go out because I'll just get pounced upon.

"The problem goes away towards the end of the summer normally but it's getting worse now year on year. I think if the problem continues next year, people will start to take things into their own hands. If I could, I'd send my council tax to the seagulls because they own this village now. Something needs to be done, so many of us have complained to the council but nothing is being done."

Anglesey Council has been approached for comment.

Every species of the gulls are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

The RSPB website says: "This makes it illegal to intentionally or, in Scotland and Northern Ireland, recklessly injure or kill any gull or damage or destroy an active nest or its contents.

"In Scotland and Northern Ireland, it is also illegal to prevent birds from accessing their nest and, in Northern Ireland, it is illegal to disturb any nesting bird."

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.