Unexpected rule on UK beaches that can spell £2,500 fine if you're caught out
As the summer season rolls in, British families are flocking to the seaside for day trips or staycations. However, a lesser-known regulation could turn your beachside fish and chips into a hefty bill.
In several coastal spots nationwide, feeding seagulls is actually illegal, with fines potentially exceeding £1,000. Last year, a 97-year-old woman faced a potential fine of £2,500 and even court proceedings after a neighbour reported her for feeding birds in her garden in Fylde, near Blackpool.
With this incident in mind, Luxury Group Stay, a leading provider of high-end holiday homes in the UK, is advising holidaymakers to familiarise themselves with local by-laws that could disrupt their well-deserved getaway.
In Suffolk, visitors to Aldeburgh will encounter signs cautioning that anyone caught feeding gulls may be prosecuted under public health and anti-social behaviour by-laws.
This regulation was implemented in the seaside town back in 2009 in response to escalating complaints about the gulls' conduct, including aggressive swooping, incessant begging, and damage to bins and properties, reports the Express.
And it's not just Fylde and Aldeburgh enforcing these restrictions. Numerous councils across the country have introduced Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) or other measures in an attempt to curb gull feeding.
Luxury Group Stay's spokesperson revealed, "With more local fines and by-laws catching guests off guard, we're seeing growing demand for private stays where families can relax, dine outdoors, and enjoy themselves without worrying about unexpected restrictions."
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Given that rules can differ widely across localities and signage might be overlooked, holidaymakers are urged to be vigilant with local guidelines – or they could find their day at the beach costing more than anticipated.
They've also pinpointed a selection of destinations where you might cop a fine for giving snacks to the gulls.
Destinations where you may be fined for feeding seagulls:
East Devon - £80-100 fine on beaches in Exmouth, Budleigh Salterton, Sidmouth, Beer, and Seaton.
Dorset - Up to £100 fine in Lyme Regis, West Bay, and Bridport.
Jersey (St Saviour Parish) - Fines of up to £1,000 in many residential areas, including Clos Paumelle.
Cornwall - Up to £100 in St Ives.
North Yorkshire - Up to £100 in Whitby and Scarborough.
East Sussex - Fines of up to £100 in Eastbourne and Hastings.
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