Feathered fiends have cops on the run

12 August 2009
By Jenny Simpson

Police officers have come under attack from a new kind of yob – of the feathered variety.

Coppers making their way to work at Morecambe police station have had to contend with an angry flock of divebombing seagulls.

Up to six of the squawking birds have been swooping on officers in the station car park and pelting their vehicles and uniforms with "little parcels".

Sgt Scott Warburton, geographical co-ordinator, said officers had come under fire since three chicks hatched in a nest on the flat roof of a station outbuilding.

He said: "The baby birds were quite mischievious.

"They were following cars into the yard, causing the adult birds to attack occupants when they got out.

"They can be quite territorial, especially when they have young. It was quite a spectator sport watching people come into work for a while.

"It was like a scene from Alfred Hitchcock!"

The huge birds have caused a few mishaps too, sending burly officers into a flap with their divebombing antics.

Sgt Warburton said: "One officer had to run across to the back door and stumbled on the way, scuffing his hands.

"One of the chicks sat on the bonnet of another officer's car and when he came out at the end of his duty, it was still there.

"Not wanting to disturb it or be attacked, he had to leave the car in the car park and make alternative arrangements to get home!"

The problem has died down since the chicks have flown the nest.

http://www.lep.co.uk/weirdnews/Feathered-fiends-have-cops-on.5548289.jp