Greedy seagulls are costing Britons an estimated £171 million annually through stolen or spoiled meals, according to a report by price comparison site Compare the Market. The study, dubbed 'The Great Greedy Gull Index,' found that nearly three-quarters of Britons have been targeted by the birds.
"We've all been there – you sit down with your chips, look away for two seconds and suddenly your lunch has grown wings," said Charlie Evans of Compare the Market. "We wanted to find out just how much this is costing. It turns out seagulls aren't just stealing our food – they're making a meal of our money too."
The average cost of a gull-induced food loss is £5.50, with fish and chips identified as the most frequent target. In response to the findings, Compare the Market is offering what it describes as the UK's first 'Gull Guarantee' at Peter's Fish Factory in Margate, Kent. On a specific Friday, customers who have their fish and chips stolen by a seagull will receive a free replacement portion, with the company allocating £1,000 to cover these costs.
More than 75% of those surveyed reported altering their outdoor dining habits to prevent seagull theft, while almost a third have abandoned or dropped their food entirely due to gull interference.