 A seaside town is taking action to try and tackle the 'vicious' seagulls disturbing residents and tourists. Lowestoft in East Suffolk has seen an influx of the coastal birds after a 'hotel' for them was set up at its port, providing nests for up to 430 breeding pairs. The seagulls have been stealing chips and ice cream, swooping on passers-by, and even squawking so loudly it interrupts people on the phone. Ashley Catchpole, 24, is a beach cleaner from the town. He said: 'They're cute in some ways – but when they go after food they really are vicious and quite horrible. 'They're very determined once they see food. The trouble is that some people feed them which makes it worse. 'When I sit down to eat my lunch they come really close and touch me. 'I don't hit them I just tell them to go away and sometimes have to swing my hand down. The birds swoop on people eating (Picture: SWNS) Ashley Catchpole says they're 'vicious and quite horrible' if they're going after food (Picture: SWNS) This seagull obviously fancies a Gregg's (Picture: SWNS) 'Even then sometimes they don't clear off and I have to hide my food. 'They're very loud as well. Sometimes you can be on the phone and you can't hear anything because the seagulls interrupt you.' Sam Faulkner, 35, from Welwyn Garden City in Hertfordshire, was visiting Lowestoft last week. He said his son's ice cream almost got stolen by a bird on the first day of their holiday. Sam said: 'I bought my son an ice cream and a seagull tried to swoop in and take it from my son's hand. 'It flew away once I shouted but it kind of hovered near his head trying to get it. 'I can see why people don't like them. I can imagine when it's busy they'd be a problem. 'The woman working at the ice cream stand said that they're a nuisance as they're opportunists and hover around the food shops. 'There should probably be a sign telling people to watch out for them.' Sam Faulkner's son almost had h){kind=link}
NEWS… BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT
A seaside town is taking action to try and tackle the ‘vicious’ seagulls disturbing residents and tourists.
Lowestoft in East Suffolk has seen an influx of the coastal birds after a ‘hotel’ for them was set up at its port, providing nests for up to 430 breeding pairs.
The seagulls have been stealing chips and ice cream, swooping on passers-by, and even squawking so loudly it interrupts people on the phone.
Ashley Catchpole, 24, is a beach cleaner from the town.