Councilor Adam Scott said: “I hope we’re not kicking them out just for their presence and that we’re just reacting to complaints.”

Concerns about the targeting of seagulls were raised by councilor Richard Udall, who worried the actions could be “slightly disproportionate”.

“If we’re not careful we’re going to turn a blind eye to major problems with other pests in the city, and I’m thinking in particular of rats, which are causing more problems for a lot of people,” he added.

“We have a lot of residential and commercial properties in the city that are endemics and provide shelter for rats.”

“Let’s not forget the traditional enemy, and that is the mouse.”

Mark Cox, of Worcestershire Regulatory Services, said sewer trapping – placing bait on manhole covers to control activity – could be done if people spotted rats, while residents who met the eligibility criteria could receive free rat treatment.

This news was collected as follows: Local Democracy Reporting Service Includes councils and other public service organisations.