A popular seaside area in the UK that’s known for stunning beaches and vibrant high streets has reportedly experienced a rise in the cases of seagull “muggings”. Several seaside towns of Scarborough, Whitby and Filey have seen the birds snatching food items from the tourists. 

According to the data from North Yorkshire Council, the region reported 220 such cases on the Yorkshire Coast between 2021 and June this year covering the areas from Whitby and Filey. Two thirds of these incidents were related to “attacks” and “muggings”.  Recently, a seagull snatched an ornament from a shocked care worker’s windowsill in Scarborough. 

The careworker, from Scarborough, North Yorks told York Press: “We used to put a little bit of seed on the windowsill for the crows and stuff, and then the seagull started coming.

“Now it keeps pecking on the window – my dog Lucy keeps barking at it. It’s like chaos when it comes knocking on the window.”

In coastal towns like Scarborough, seabirds are thriving—particularly kittiwakes and seagulls, which have adapted cleverly to urban environments.

Over the past two decades, the number of occupied kittiwake nests in the area has grown by 39 percent, rising from 1,527 in 2005 to 2,127 today. 

Even more striking is the surge in seagulls nesting on man-made structures such as hotels, shopfronts, and other buildings. Their numbers have skyrocketed by an astonishing 1,318 percent, jumping from just 78 nests in 2005 to 1,106 this year. 

North Yorkshire Council has acknowledged a growing concern among residents regarding the presence of gulls, noting a “perceived increase” in their numbers alongside a noticeable rise in complaints.

In response to these concerns, the council has taken proactive measures by launching a dedicated online portal specifically designed for reporting incidents involving gulls—referred to as 'gull conflicts.'

Since its introduction in 2021, the portal has received over 200 reports, reflecting the extent to which these birds have become a source of tension in the community.