Residents’ post delayed after ‘harassing’ seagulls attack postmen

‘Harassing and aggressive’ seagulls attacking postal workers in East Yorkshire have led to a delay in residents getting their mail, it has been revealed.

A Royal Mail Bridlington delivery manager has written to residents around the north of Bempton Lane in Bridlington to advise that their post may be delayed after posties felt unsafe due to aggressive seagulls. The letter states that Royal Mail will continue to attempt to deliver letters daily but there may be “slight delays” due to the harassing seagulls.

The letter, titled “potential disruption to mail deliveries”, was sent to residents in The Lawns, Orchard Close and Paddock Court part of Bempton Lane. According to the Bridlington Echo, the letter says: “Dear occupier, we have been experiencing issues in your area involving seagulls attacking our delivery officers when they are delivering mail to multiple properties on the street.

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“We have been successful in delivering all the mail received into the office daily but there may be some days where the delivery officer has attempted multiple times to deliver but it may not be safe to do so which may result in slight delays.

“This letter is just to inform you that on some days we may experience issues, but we will attempt to deliver all mail to your property daily. As a last resort we may have to return it to the office if the delivery officer feels unsafe when attempting to deliver to your address.”

Residents were also advised to contact the delivery manager if their mail was effected. One resident who lives in the area reported that postal workers had taken to using umbrellas to protect themselves from the seagulls.

Birds are nesting on rooves in the area and adult birds are known to fiercely protect their nests. Seabirds are a protected species and cannot be moved on once they have nested.

This is the not the first time the seagulls of Bridlington have come under scrutiny for their aggressive behaviour. Residents reported gulls “attacking babies” in 2019 and East Riding Council issued a warning to coastal resorts in the first lockdown in 2020 that seagulls may act more aggressive than normal due to reduced food options. Reporter James Campbell recounted his own experience eating chips in Bridlington in the Spring and having to cope with the “thuggery” of the gulls.

But it would be unfair to single out the seagulls of north Bridlington for their apparent inclination to attack post officers. Posties in Thorpe Bay, Essex have also been blighted by bird attacks in recent weeks. Some have even resorted to wearing hardhats, according to one postwoman who told The Mirror: “It’s been terrible. The other postmen have been wearing hard helmets like builders.

“One came with an umbrella to keep them away. The gulls spot you, then start chirping and then they dive down and they make you duck. I’ve had to hide under a tree or go close to a wall. I’ve been scared.”

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