Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
SEAGULLS SACK THE POSTMAN
Dive-bombing birds halt mail deliveries
AGGRESSIVE seagulls have forced posties to stop delivering in one street after a series of attacks.
The gulls nesting on rooftops dived at the workers’ heads and necks as they tried to do their rounds.
Residents say the birds were trying to protect their chicks and see the bright red Royal Mail uniforms as a threat.
Royal Mail wrote to householders in Regent Gardens, Hereford – 70 miles from the coast – saying deliveries were being disrupted because of “swooping attacks”.
A spokesman said: “The gulls go for their heads and necks, which is obviously very dangerous.
“Our staff have gone out every day and on two occasions were forced to stop deliveries due to the risk.”
Deliveries were cancelled for two days last week and residents have been warned to expect further delays until the chicks have left the nests. The Royal Mail letter said: “These kind of attacks can occur at this time of year as gulls are nesting and rearing their chicks.
“Postmen are attempting to deliver every day and we apologise if any customer has been affected by this. “The safety of our people is paramount. These swooping attacks made it difficult for the postmen to carry out their deliveries.”
One resident said: “I haven’t seen a postman set foot on the street for more than a week.
“Posties are basically avoiding our street completely until the gulls leave or calm down.
“It’s bonkers. They’ll be wearing hard hats and need bodyguards next.”
But mum-of-two Kerry Kent, 34, who lives in the street, said: “They are a menace and do swoop at people.”