Police have launched a manhunt after baby seagulls were allegedly attacked and killed with an umbrella on a Bath shopping centre roof, prompting outrage from wildlife protection groups and residents.
Avon and Somerset Police released CCTV images on Wednesday as they search for a man in connection with the incident at the Corridor shopping centre on Tuesday, 15 July at approximately 4.50pm. Officers are seeking a black, middle-aged man of slim build who was wearing a checked shirt and carrying a blue bag at the time.
The alleged attack on the protected birds has sparked concerns about wildlife crime in the historic Somerset city, where urban gulls have become an increasingly contentious issue amongst residents and businesses.
We are appealing for help to identify the man in this CCTV image who we would like to speak to in connection with reported attacks on seagulls in Bath city centre,” a spokesperson for Avon and Somerset Police said. A man was reported for attacking and killing baby seagulls with an umbrella on the roof of the Corridor shopping centre.
The incident could constitute a serious wildlife crime, as gulls are legally protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, which safeguards all wild birds, their nests, and eggs. This legislation makes it illegal to intentionally harm or kill gulls, disturb their nests, or take their eggs without a valid licence.
Wildlife crime carries significant penalties under UK law. Those found guilty of killing protected birds face prosecution and potential fines of up to £5,000 per bird, along with possible imprisonment.
“This appears to be a deliberate act of cruelty against protected wildlife,” said a source familiar with wildlife legislation. “The fact that baby gulls were targeted makes this particularly disturbing.”
The Corridor, one of Bath’s historic shopping arcades located on High Street, provides numerous rooftop nesting sites for urban gulls. The covered shopping centre, which dates back to the Victorian era, houses various shops and cafés beneath its distinctive glass roof.
The timing of the incident coincides with peak gull breeding season, when adult birds are most protective of their young. July marks the period when gull chicks have recently hatched and remain vulnerable in their nests.
Bath has long grappled with its urban gull population, with the birds becoming a divisive issue amongst residents and businesses. Our report has revealed that there is a worrying threat to public health in Bath from our very large urban gull population,” Tim Newark, co-founder of Independent Shops of Bath, stated in a previous report on the issue.
The city council has implemented various measures to manage gull numbers, including a licensed nest removal programme and efforts to reduce the birds’ access to food waste. Bath & North East Somerset kicked off its Gull Strategy in February 2016, allocating £85k in 2016/2017 and £57k in 2017/18.
However, any action against gulls must comply with strict wildlife protection laws. “It is only legal to remove eggs and nests up to the point the chicks hatch, incubation is 31 days and young gulls hatch in June and July,” according to NBC Environment, which assists with the council’s gull management programme.
Local wildlife groups have condemned the alleged attack, emphasising that despite frustrations with urban gulls, violence against protected species is never acceptable. Conservation experts note that several gull species have experienced significant population declines in recent years, leading to their inclusion on conservation concern lists.
“Whilst we understand the challenges posed by urban gulls, taking the law into one’s own hands is completely unacceptable,” a Bath resident association representative said. “There are legal and humane ways to address these issues.”
The incident has reignited debate about human-wildlife conflict in urban areas. Bath attracts over six million visitors annually, and outdoor dining areas frequently experience issues with bold gulls attempting to steal food from diners’ tables.
“We spend a lot of time re-cooking and replacing food that’s either stolen or destroyed,” Emma Garrood of Boston Tea Party café previously told local media about the challenges businesses face.
Despite these frustrations, wildlife law experts stress that the protection afforded to gulls and other wild birds remains absolute. Section 5 of the WCA 1981 prohibits the use of certain methods of killing or taking wild birds in England, Scotland and Wales.
The police investigation continues as officers work to identify the suspect from CCTV footage. Detectives are particularly keen to speak with anyone who may have witnessed the incident or who recognises the man in the released images.
“We would urge anyone with information about this incident to come forward,” the police spokesperson added. Members of the public who recognise the person pictured or have information about the incident should contact Avon and Somerset Police on 101, quoting reference number 5225200170.
The case highlights ongoing tensions between urban development and wildlife conservation in historic cities. As Bath continues to balance its status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site with modern urban challenges, finding sustainable solutions for human-wildlife coexistence remains a priority.
Local authorities are reviewing security measures at shopping centres and other buildings where gulls commonly nest, whilst wildlife organisations are calling for increased public education about the legal protections afforded to urban wildlife.
The incident serves as a stark reminder that regardless of personal views on urban gulls, these birds remain protected by law, and any harm inflicted upon them constitutes a criminal offence subject to prosecution.
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