With regard to gulls and pigeons, the latter have always been seen as vermin.

As for the former, ripping open bin bags can be avoided if residents put food scraps into shopping bags and then into bin liners.

And knowing when their bags are collected, they should put them out in the late evening, the day before they are picked up.

Surely pigeons could be culled, Mr Bodfish?

As for "rats with wings", I know which I prefer between gulls and rats - at least rats are quieter.

-John Leighton, Hove