Pecking order Villagers left living in fear after spate of attacks by hawk with a dislike for tall men

Villagers left living in fear after spate of attacks by hawk with a dislike for tall men

- Sammy Gecsoyler

When Michael Hart went for his morning run in rural Hertfordshire, the last thing he expected was to be attacked. "I felt something come at me from behind," said the 31-year-old who works in IT.

The perpetrator has quietly stalked the streets of Flamstead for months but has gone on the rampage in the past fortnight, having bumped and pecked more than 20 men.

A hunt for the serial attacker is under way. "It clawed at the back of my head. I looked up and it flew back at me again. It landed on a roof around the corner and sat there staring at me," said Hart, describing the assault by a harris hawk.

On Thursday, I paid a visit to the storybook village being terrorised by this mischievous bird of prey.

I came somewhat prepared, donning a baseball cap to keep my head out of sight, though this paled in comparison to the bicycle helmets worn by TV news crews descending on the village.

After a life of being looked down upon - both figuratively and literally - because I am 1.68 metres (5ft 7in), my height had finally become an advantage.