Why drawing eyes on food packaging could stop seagulls stealing your chips

Animals generally respond defensively when they see eyes staring at them. Stephen A. Waycott/Shutterstock

The increasingly urban lifestyles of seagulls in the UK and around Europe has made them experts at grabbing food from unsuspecting outdoor diners. Herring gulls in particular are gaining a reputation for food theft in seaside towns like Falmouth in Cornwall, where I live.

On a day out at the beach last summer, I watched as one rummaged through an unattended bag and hopped off with a packet of crisps.