PEOPLE driven to distraction by seagulls are increasingly turning to action to get some peace and quiet.

The cull on gulls has come to light through new figures for the South West from the bird charity RSPB.

It says crimes against species other than birds of prey have almost doubled in the South West since last year.

Swallows and swans are increasingly suffering at the hands of criminals — but gulls are coming off worst of all.

In Devon, non-bird of prey incidents have more than doubled since 2006 — and gulls seem to be hardest hit.

The RSPB's Sophie Atherton said: “We understand that gulls' behaviour and habits can be annoying to some people.

“But that is absolutely no excuse for the sort of violent acts that have been committed against these birds.”

Businessman Richard Jacobs, of Exton, near Exeter, has seen two sides of the problem — and is not happy with either. He was walking through Cathedral Yard when a bird lunged at him five times, drawing blood from his head.

Mr Jacobs, of South West Metal Finishing, in Marsh Barton, said: “It was frightening. I held up an arm to try to protect myself and managed to make it back to my car.”

He is also concerned at the mess and health hazard they cause at his Marsh Barton property.

He said: “It is a big problem there. They are scavengers, eat all sorts of poisons, and end up dead in our drains. It causes a real mess. I have to say the best place for seagulls is at the seaside.”

Ms Atherton said: “Gulls are legally protected and it is a crime to wantonly kill or injure them. It is also incredibly cruel.”

There have been numerous reports of gulls being shot, but also some incidents of them being kicked or beaten to death — but they aren't the only victims.

Even garden birds like pied wagtails, blackbirds and bluetits have been hit.

Ms Atherton added: “The statistics and details that have come to light through this report are shocking and disgusting.

“The only glimmer of hope is the knowledge that there are many more people out there that love wildlife than the minority that are prepared to destroy it through criminal acts.”

Nationally, the number of crimes committed against birds of prey reached an all-time high in 2007, increasing by a massive 40 per cent on the previous year. Reports of crimes against all wild birds were at record levels for a second year in a row, with 1,208 separate incidents reported to the RSPB's investigations department in 2007.

As a result, the RSPB is urging the Government to make tackling the illegal persecution of birds of prey and other wildlife a higher priority for the UK's police forces. Ian West, head of investigations at the RSPB, said: “It is hard to say whether the problem is increasing, or whether we are just getting to hear about more of the offences that are taking place.”

“What is clear is that very large numbers of birds are being illegally killed every year and that is totally unacceptable in a civilised society. There has to be a greater effort to enforce the law.”

He urged the Home Office to make it clear to police forces that wildlife crime needed to be given a higher priority.

The RSPB is also asking members of the public who care about birds of prey to pledge their support for an end to illegal killing at: www.rspb.org