Gulls trying to nick food? Give 'em yell!

Boffs: Shouting at seabirds can make them flee

- BY TOM BEVAN

MENACE Seagulls love to swoop in and steal fish and chips

BOFFINS say shouting at seagulls makes them more likely to leave your food alone.

Research carried out showed physical violence was not needed to scare off gulls - but a loud ticking off could be enough to save your fish and chips from the pesky swoopers.

Researchers used male voices - as most crimes against wildlife are carried out by men - and put a closed Tupperware box of chips on the ground to pique the herring gulls' interest.