Concerns have been raised about seagull attacks in a Dorset town.

They come after a report on social media that a young Swedish visitor to Lyme Regis was eating a croissant when a seagull swooped down and cut her hand with its beak, resulting in a trip to A&E for a tetanus shot.

Lyme Regis Town Council has revealed that it is ‘very aware of the seagull issue’ and over the years tried a number of methods to deter the birds and make people aware of the dangers.

Town clerk John Wright said: “The town council is very aware of the seagull issue in Lyme Regis and has tried many ways over the years to deter them and make people aware of the dangers.

“This has included bringing in birds of prey, flying a drone, issuing advice leaflets to residents, installing signs on the seafront warning people of seagull thieves, and introducing bins on the seafront which make it harder for gulls to pull waste from them.

“The council also has two enforcement officers who are authorised to issue fixed penalty notices of up to £100 to anyone who intentionally feeds seagulls.

“However, due to the number of food outlets in Lyme Regis and the resulting waste, this makes the town an attractive place for seagulls to find food.

“The seagulls may be more aggressive at the moment because it is breeding season and adult gulls are protecting their chicks.”

Like all wild birds, gulls, their chicks and their nests are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

This means it's illegal to intentionally kill, take or injure gulls, take or destroy their eggs, or damage or destroy any gull nests while they're in use or being built - unless you're acting under licence.

The RSPCA suggests that ‘snatching food’ is also a behaviour that seagulls have learnt, and it's reinforced every time they're fed by the public.

It suggests that people should try to avoid feeding any gulls, keep food to themselves and, where possible, try to use re-sealable food containers or something that will close.

Gulls that swoop suddenly on people or pets are usually trying to protect their nearby chicks which may have fallen out of a nest.

The birds will generally stop when the person or animal has moved away from their young.

This behaviour usually only lasts for a few weeks until the chicks have fledged and are able to protect themselves.