MP calls for a Government crack down on SEAGULLS after one bird stole his friend's fish and chips 

  • Conservative MP Oliver Colvile has been granted debate in Parliament on issue
  • He said it was big problem in seaside towns as seagulls 'can be quite invasive'
  • MP for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport said constituents had raised the problem

By Emily Chan For Mailonline

Published: 08:24 EST, 4 February 2017 | Updated: 09:13 EST, 4 February 2017

An MP has called for a government crackdown on seagulls, after one stole his friend's fish and chips.

Oliver Colvile, the Conservative MP for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport, has been granted a debate in Parliament next week on seagulls in coastal towns and cities.

He said it was a 'big issue' in seaside towns as seagulls 'can be quite invasive'. 

Conservative MP Oliver Colvile has called for a government crackdown on seagulls, after one stole his friend's fish and chips

Mr Colvile, 57, said: 'Indeed, I was out campaigning on one occasion with a mate of mine when suddenly this seagull decided it was going to take his fish and chips from him.

'I am aware that they are a protected species, but we need to do more.'

Mr Colvile said many of his constituents have written to him asking for a solution to the problem.

He said: 'There are a series of things the council have done in the past. They replaced some of the seagulls' eggs with fake eggs.

'I think it's to do with the number of seagulls that are now appearing. 

'One thing we could do is to make sure we build buildings so they are not going to find it easy to nest in there, that kind of thing.'

He has been granted a debate in Parliament next week on seagulls in coastal towns and cities (file photo)

Hr added: 'It's a very difficult issue, but I want to raise it with the Government to make sure they do what they can.'  

Mr Colvile is also planning to present a petition about hedgehogs to Parliament next week.

More than 50,000 people have signed the petition calling on the Government to 'give the hedgehog better legal protection in order to reverse its decline'.

In response to the concern over the decline in hedgehogs, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said last year: 'We support measures to help hedgehogs.

'We do not believe it is appropriate to list hedgehogs as a protected species, which is best reserved for species deliberately killed or injured by humans.'

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