Experts Calculate How Much Food Seagulls Steal From Brits Each Year (1 photo + 2 videos)
Hungry seagulls steal food from Brits every year, prompting experts to calculate the total cost of their annual outdoor thefts. 
Seagulls in the UK steal an estimated £171 million worth of food from people every year.
According to a report by Compare the Market titled "The Great Greedy Gull Index," the average stolen meal costs £5.50, bringing the annual total to £171 million. Fish and chips are the most common target, with 74 percent of respondents admitting they have had food snatched straight out of their hands at least once.
Researchers also found that over 75 percent of respondents change where or how they eat outdoors to avoid bird attacks. Nearly a third admitted that when they see seagulls swooping down, they simply drop their food or hand it over without a fight.
Following the report's release, Compare the Market launched a "Seagull Guarantee" promotion at a seaside cafe in Margate: for one day, customers who had their fish and chips stolen by birds received a free replacement meal. Around £1,000 was set aside for the scheme. The report noted that even when Brits manage to fend off attacks, the constant threat has reshaped their habits—with many opting to eat indoors or cover their plates with napkins.
Traditional fish and chips are the most common target for seagulls (72%), followed by sandwiches (21%) and ice cream (20%).
