Beware thuggish gulls when dining al fresco

SIR – You describe the thuggish behaviour of gulls (Leading Article, June 1). Last year, my wife and I were enjoying an al fresco cream tea in Salcombe, Devon, when I was dive-bombed by this pirate of the skies, who grabbed a scone from my plate, swallowed it whole and flew off, all in a nanosecond.

My screaming at it attracted the attention of other customers and staff, and a sympathetic waitress kindly gave me another scone free of charge.

This is a three-pound bird with a wingspan of five feet, which can do serious damage, so outdoor diners should beware.

Martin Henry

Smash and grab: a giant gull descending on a skip in Lowestoft, Suffolk, by Banksy