Residents demand 'hard hats' for posties to combat seagull attacks in West Country town

Posties in a West Country town are facing an aerial menace, with residents suggesting they should be equipped with 'hard hats' to fend off aggressive seagulls. The birds have halted mail delivery due to their attacks, prompting calls for protective gear for postal workers.

The swooping seagulls, intent on defending their young, have become such a problem that the Royal Mail has had to issue a warning to householders in Liskeard. They've been told that postmen are struggling to deliver mail safely because of the bird attacks.

Residents have been left with two choice. They can either endure the postal disruption until the nesting season is over or redirect their mail to a different address.

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Royal Mail is keeping a close eye on the situation, stating, "As you may be aware, we are currently experiencing some difficulties safely delivering to you and your neighbour due to seagulls in the area, swooping at delivering staff in order to protect their young."

They added, "The purpose of this letter is to firstly advise you of the issues we are experiencing but also to assure you that we will continue to attempt deliveries every day.

"Please accept my apologies for any inconvenience this may cause but whilst Royal Mail is committed to providing a consistent daily delivery to addresses, we do place the highest priority on the safety of our employees."

However, residents have taken to social media to vent their frustrations and suggest solutions.

One resident quipped: "Issue the post people with hard hats!" Another joked: "I reckon the seagulls have stolen our postie."

However, some defended the wildlife, arguing that Cornwall wouldn't be the same without its native seagulls.

One woman said: "Cornwall would be a sad place without our native seagulls."

Another lamented the treatment of seagulls by some residents, saying: "Sadly, I see cretins who drive at them at speed and want them gone, along with many other of our wild creatures of which so many are in decline.

"We are fortunate to have them living alongside us. My advice.....If you don't like the wildlife don't live in Cornwall."

Another voiced their opinion that humans are the root of the issue: "I don't like the gulls but it's the humans that are the problem i.e. feeding bread to the gulls."