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Volunteers urge police to act on gull shootings
POLICE in Eastbourne have assured animal charity volunteers they are taking seagull shooting very seriously.
Volunteers at East Sussex Wildlife Rescue and Ambulance Service (WRAS) have been appealing for information about ongoing seagull shootings across Eastbourne.
Last month, Tim McKenzie, casualty care manager at WRAS, told the Gazette's sister paper the Herald he was receiving reports of around three gulls being shot with airguns each week.
The charity is also getting regular calls about nests being destroyed and young gulls being suffocated in bin liners.
WRAS put up a 500 reward for any information leading to a conviction and Mr McKenzie called on police to take urgent action.
Police have this week said they will be taking a robust stance towards the prosecution of offenders where offences are identified.
Inspector Tony Wakefield from the neighbourhood policing team said, "We are treating these particular incidents and the subject of shooting seagulls very seriously.
"We want help to reduce the number of incidents involving seagulls in our neighbourhoods and the concerns this causes.
"I am grateful to the members of the public who rang in having witnessed these events. I would encourage anyone else to do the same if they have similar concerns."
Gulls are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. This makes it illegal to intentionally injure or kill gulls or to take, damage or destroy an active nest or its contents.
Police are asking parents to ensure their children are not involved in disturbing gulls, particularly at this time of the year when nesting birds are at their most vulnerable.
People found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to animals can face a six-month jail term and/or a 20,000 fine. Killing or injuring wild birds also carries a six-month jail sentence and/or a 5,000 fine.
Trevor Weeks, the founder of WRAS, said, "Herring gull numbers are on the decline at such an alarming rate that the RSPB has placed them on its Red List and Natural England is in the process of removing them from the General Licence List.
"A visit to the seaside would not be the same without the sight and sounds of gulls. They are part of the heritage of our coastline.
"Shooting with air guns is cruel and only a short-term answer because other gulls will move in and take over the territory.
"The use of deterrents is the only long-term answer. To this end WRAS is putting together advice and information on deterring gulls and we hope this will soon be available at www.wildlifeambulance.org
"Sussex Police have assured us they will take these incidents seriously and investigate them thoroughly.
"A 500 reward is being offered for information leading to the successful conviction."
Anyone with information who has not already come forward should call police on 0845 60 70 999 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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Weather for Eastbourne
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
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Temperature: 13 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 23 mph
Wind direction: East
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Temperature: 11 C to 20 C
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