Residents told to ‘snitch’ on seagull feeders

A COUNCIL wants residents to report anyone seen feeding seagulls so they can be fined.

An increase in seagulls divebombing for food has led seaside authorities to consider handing out £100 penalties to those caught feeding them.

Wyre Council, which covers the resorts of Fleetwood, Thornton and Cleveleys, in Lancashire, has seen a 600 per cent increase in gull attacks, with 47 incidents reported since April.

Now it wants to use Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) to prosecute the feeders – and is relying on residents to report each other.

But the call for neighbours to ‘snitch’ on one another has attracted criticism. Resident Ian Gerrard, 64, said: ‘It feels wrong somehow to almost recruit the public to do this.

‘It could land people with disputes with their neighbours.’

And Cleveleys cafe owner Martin Hunns said: ‘People shouldn’t be feeding them but I’m not sure how you go about fining people. Is there going to be a dedicated seagull patrol?’

Patricia O’Connor said: ‘I hope the seagulls will fly off to a happier place where there will no PSPOs.’

It is illegal to injure or kill gulls or destroy their nests as the birds are protected by law.