Regarding the letter "Cull the gulls" (Friday, June 16), seagull numbers in Brighton and Hove have declined in the last 20 or so years and they’re only likely to attack when they are looking after their chicks.  

If they steal your food while you are eating outdoors, it’s because you were careless.  

They are not "sky rats", they are beautiful birds, superb fliers and wonderful parents.  

What’s more they are the sound of the seaside, the logo of our very good football team and they actually help to keep down the number of rats by eating the food that otherwise the rats would have eaten.

Of course if you grab one as the letter writer did, it will peck you. What do you expect?   Leave them alone and try to enjoy them.

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