Shoplifting seagull banned for stealing packets of crisps
A shoplifting seagull named Sid has been banned from a store after stealing multiple packets of crisps and sweets.
The greedy gull was grabbing a bag of crisps per day at the Arkwhite’s Best Before shop in the seaside town.
Alex White, who owns the shop, placed bags of crisps in metal shopping baskets outside the store – but the brazen bird swiped three packets of crisps in three days before pooping on the front window.
Now the store owner has banned Sid from his premises in the old town area of Hastings, East Sussex.
But that hasn’t stopped Sid, a herring gull, from persevering with more snatch and fly raids.
Alex told SussexWorld: ‘We had bags of crisps outside the shop in metal baskets. Sid the seagull has been swaggering down George Street pretending to mind his own business, then as soon as the coast is clear – bang!
‘Three bags of crisps in three days and then pooped on my window. Sid you are barred for life. I have had to bring the crisps inside as he can’t be trusted.’
He added: ‘The seagull battle continued with Sid on Saturday morning after he stole a bag of jellybeans. But I was fast on my toes and managed to get them back.
‘Obviously Sid isn’t on Facebook and hasn’t realised he is on a life ban. Sunday wasn’t so bad.
‘I think George Street was a bit too busy for him. Either that or he has caught up with his Facebook posts.’
Another coastal town was forced to take action to help quell ‘vicious’ seagulls who disturb 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.
A council spokesperson said: ‘East Suffolk council is a member of the Lowestoft Kittiwake Partnership, which has a broad membership, including Suffolk Wildlife Trust, the RSPB, and members of the community and local business groups.
‘The partnership was established to enable a co-ordinated approach to a number of issues around safeguarding the endangered urban nesting kittiwake population while acknowledging the interests of businesses and residents.
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
For more stories like this, check our news page.