Prolific shoplifting seagull terrorising baguette bar

A sneaky seagull has turned shoplifter by wandering into a Newquay cafe and helping himself to his favourite snacks. The cheeky bird walks into the open-fronted Upper Crust Baguette Bar in Fore Street and makes off with crisps, chocolate bars, pasties, sausage rolls and cakes. The seagull, nicknamed Grenville, sits and waits until the shop assistants’ backs are turned and hops up on to the counter and swipes whatever he can get his beak on – although he does have a particular fondness for Crunchie chocolate bars.

Grenville, on occasions, shares his booty with other seagulls outside the shop but at other times he flies off to scoff the lot himself. Shop workers have had to take drastic action by erecting a plastic screen to cover the counter, but that has not deterred Grenville from trying his luck. Shop assistant Martine Hawkes said: “Grenville comes into the shop and steals crisps, chocolate bars and anything he can get his pesky little beak on.



“He walks in and jumps up when our backs are turned when it’s busy. He’s such a cheeky little devil. But it has gone beyond being funny because it is costing us so much money. Grenville comes in thieving every day and we have had to take extreme measures, putting the plastic screen over the counter. If ever we are out the back we can hear him pecking at the plastic.”

Shop assistant Ammii Downing added: “I named the seagull Grenville after my dad because he is so greedy. It is definitely the same seagull because he has got a bit of red dye on his head. He is a lovely seagull and it was funny to start with, but now it’s starting to get irritating. It’s costing the shop a fortune.”