The Birds!

Terrified pupils were forced to take cover as seagulls dive-bomb them on their way to school.

18:54 07 July 2015

Labour MP Jamie Reed tweeted: “Young children are literally being attacked.”

 

However, council chiefs are unable to take action as the birds and their nests are protected. 

 

A mother of one of the pupils of Jericho Primary School in Whitehaven, Cumbria, said: “Sometimes we have to run to the gates.” 

 

Another mum, 43-year-old Cheryl Jeffery, said that she was forced to place spikes on the roof. 

 

 “We are absolutely tormented by the seagulls. This has been going on for years and it’s about time something was done.

 

“It doesn’t help that people living nearby are feeding the seagulls and attracting them.

 

“They are vicious birds and I’ve seen them swoop on people and attack them, as well as stealing food out of their hands.”

 

Julie Betteridge, Copeland’s director of customers and community services, said: “We realise seagulls, whilst a defining feature of any seaside town, do cause problems.

 

“Unfortunately the law makes it difficult to cull them, as they’re a protected species.

 

“It is illegal to remove nests and eggs or to kill birds because they are disliked, considered noisy or thought to be damaging to property.”