A town councillor described the seagulls as "flying rats"

The Liskeard group has been looking at a spate of rubbish bins being split open, residents being attacked and children being dive-bombed.

The group says it is time to take action against the perpetrators - seagulls.

In Liskeard, people have already installed mechanical scarers in the town centre, but this has only served to push the birds to housing estates including Pengover Road on the outskirts of the town.

Public complaints

At a meeting of Neighbourhood Watch officials, options to be discussed will include regulated culling of the birds.

The co-ordinator of Neighbourhood Watch in Rapson Road, Barry Glasson, says they are causing more problems than criminals in terms of complaints of the public.

A member of Liskeard Town Council describes the seagulls as "flying rats" and says she would not oppose legislation which allowed them to be shot.

Councillor Ann Purdon described the birds as a menace and a health risk.

Gulls have also been causing problems in other parts of the county.

Tourists visiting Looe have been told not to feed the birds in an attempt to cure the problem of scavenging.