‘Sneaky’ seagull terrorising Greggs’ customers by swooping on them and stealing their lunch
A GREEDY gull is terrorising Greggs’ customers by pinching their lunch.
The seagull, nicknamed Greg, perches on a red phone box — the perfect spot to pounce on targets as they start to tuck in.
One man was left staring at his empty wrapper in disbelief as Greg snatched his pizza slice.
The bird then dived down over the shoulder of another man who ducked just in time to avoid the same fate.
A local in Bournemouth said of Greg: “He is sneaky and seems to know what he is doing.
“People have to walk past the phone box as they leave Greggs and they usually start eating sausage rolls or steak bakes straightaway. This gull then swoops in to try and take whatever is in their hand.
“I was lucky and reacted quickly but I saw one guy lose his pizza slice to the gull.”
Despite being a menace, seagulls are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, which makes it illegal to kill or injure them.
In 2022 police investigated after one tourist attacked a gull with a cricket bat.
In the past councils have tried using gull-proof bins and employing handlers with hawks and eagles.
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council urged visitors not to feed Greg.
A spokesman added: “We are limited in action we can take.
“In a coastal area, this is a part of life and we encourage visitors to not feed the seagulls and avoid carrying food near spots where there is a high concentration.”