Council chief to examine all options over 'growing' gull problem - The Worcester Observer

Council chief to examine all options over 'growing' gull problem

Worcester Editorial 16th Jul, 2019 Updated: 17th Jul, 2019   0

A CONTROVERSIAL call to ‘cull the gulls’ in Worcester city centre appears to have been ruled out despite a leading city and county councillor labelling the problem an ‘epidemic’.

Coun Alan Amos branded the gulls ‘flying rats’ in a highly-charged question to Worcester City Council leader Coun Marc Bayliss at a meeting at the Guildhall last night (Tuesday).

In response, Coun Bayliss stressed the need to examine all the options available to the council but admitted the issue was a ‘growing problem’ in the city.

The gulls have been a feature of the city for a number of years despite high profile campaigns which has seen the introduction of gull proof litter bins and a scheme to replace gull eggs with dummy ones.




Coun Amos revealed he had had enough and called for action following a meeting he held this week with Lower Wick residents and officers.

“The problem of gulls is now out of control and at the meeting it was accepted the problem this year is worse than it was last year and has reached epidemic proportions,” he said.


“My constituents are being woken at three or four in the morning with the gulls’ screeching, so can’t have their windows open despite the hot weather; their cars are being bombarded with gull droppings so that they have to be washed at least once every day; they are attacking their pets, including dogs and cats; and are preventing people from enjoying sitting out in their gardens.

“If all this was being done by people, they would rightly be arrested. It is simply not acceptable people should be expected to live in these conditions anywhere in our city.

“As I said three years ago, the only effective solution is a cull so we now need to apply to the Secretary of State for permission to carry it out and I don’t give a damn if it’s not politically correct to do so,” he said.

In response, Coun Bayliss said: “”I’m happy to agree with him, I think the gull problem is a growing problem in the city.

“I think there are more in the city than I remember and I think as a council we are able to do more to protect residents.

“I will be working with colleagues across the council to find options and ideas to tackle the issue. I know Alan his views on the solution to this problem but I think we need to look at all the options,” he said.

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