Locals taking pot shots at gulls are being blamed for shooting a hole in a Fife pensioner’s window.
The 76-year-old woman from Burntisland went to investigate after hearing a loud bang from outside.
She was horrified to find a hole in her bathroom window and believes it was caused by an airgun pellet.
Police say they are investigating the incident but the pensioner, who asked not to be named, fears neighbours will be caught in the crossfire as residents in Somerville Street take the gull problem into their own hands.
“They would have been trying to shoot seagulls,” she said.
“We’re polluted with them here.
“People walking their dogs are being attacked by them. The seagulls are just swooping down and attacking them in the street.”
She believes someone may have been shooting an airgun at the birds from a window when they hit her home.
She added: “It’s just a wee pellet hole but it was a loud enough bang.
“I told police to get up to the High Street. It has to have come from that area.”
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Police in Fife have received a report of damage to a window at a residential address in Burntisland.
“The incident was reported to have taken place at around 6.25pm on Wednesday July 4 in the Somerville Street area.
“Inquiries into the full circumstances are ongoing.”
All species of gull are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
The RSPB said: “This makes it illegal to intentionally or, in Scotland and Northern Ireland, recklessly injure or kill any gull or damage or destroy an active nest or its contents.”
The incident comes after a number of reports of anti-social behaviour in the Fife town in recent weeks.
Police pledged to step up resources after viewing camera footage of a number of local youths attacking passers-by.
The group’s actions were roundly condemned by local politicians and community groups.
