This was on R4 just now. One woman interviewed won't leave her house without carrying a broom to beat off aggressive seagulls and newspaper deliveries have ceased as the kids are too scared of being pecked as they ride along.
Residents of the seaside town of Monkseaton have become terrified of leaving their homes following a series of attacks by seagulls.
'In scenes which they say are reminiscent of The Birds, the Alfred Hitchcock film, the seagulls have knocked a woman to the ground and left a man with neck wounds.
Residents in the North Tyneside town, are afraid to take their dogs for walks or let their children out to play.
The seagulls have been a problem for years, but the council has been unable to take action because they are protected by law. This year the attacks have got worse.
One resident, Catherine Rogan, refused to go into her backyard after it was taken over by seagulls. "I went out there last week and two went for me," she said. "They forced me on to the floor. It's hard to believe, but we really are prisoners in our own homes."
Another villager, Kelly Hewison, said: "The seagulls are very scary. Taking the dog for a walk is a nightmare because as soon as they see a dog they go mad, and you can get up to half a dozen of them taking it in turns to have a go."
The gulls have been nesting in residents' chimneys and are very protective of their young. It is believed that more attacks occur during the summer breeding season.'