In many communities, seagulls are considered nuisance birds. They are also thieves, at least when discussing the Central store in Wyke Regis, Dorset, England. The store has recorded losses from theft for at least six years. They attribute the thievery to a specific bird they have named “Steven Seagull.” When patrons leave the shop door open, the seagull wanders in and helps itself to bags of crisps (chips).
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The manager of the small Lyndale convenience store, Stuart Harmer, states that Steven Seagull has stolen at least 30 packages of chips just in the past two months. The problem has been happening for at least six years. To curb the thievery, the store has put up a sign asking customers to close the door behind themselves. The sign includes an image of the culprit.
There has been a recent uptick in Steven Seagull’s crime spree. The crafty critter waits for an unsuspecting patron to leave the door open, then speeds in, grabs his loot, and makes a quick getaway.
According to the store manager, Steven Seagull has a definite preference for the BBQ beef-flavoured crisps. Store employees rearranged the chips at one point, placing his “favorite” type in a different location. This did not deter Steven Seagull, who still managed to locate his favorites. He seems to go for the quick “snatch-and-grab” technique before escaping.
Steven Seagull can be seen out on the walkway enjoying his loot and often sharing with bird friends. Some customers find the bird’s antic amusing. While explaining the thievery to the store owner may have been difficult in the past, the bird’s habitual pilfering is now a viral sensation. Perhaps the owners might become more forgiving of the loss.
You can find the source of this story’s featured image here.
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