Police deal with man who stamped seagull to death in Hastings town centre

A man who bludgeoned and then stamped a seagull to death after it stole his sandwich has been dealt with by the police, Hastings Borough Council has confirmed.

By Stephen Wynn-Davies

Published 23rd Sep 2020, 17:29 BST

The incident, which took place in Robertson Street, Hastings, in August, resulted in more than 6,000 signatures on an online petition asking for action to be taken.

A police spokesman said: “The man attended Battle police station on August 27 to complete a community resolution with a Sussex Police wildlife crime officer alongside an RSPCA officer. He was given firm advice and education around gulls being a protected species under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.”

Hastings Borough Council added: “This was an horrendous incident. We know seagulls can be greedy, but they are protected, and it is completely unacceptable for someone to bludgeon a bird to death in this way.

“We value animal welfare, and indeed have our own animal welfare charter, and are very pleased that this incident has been taken seriously by the police.”