A seagull rests on a lamp on Brighton Pier in Brighton, southern England. [Photo/AFP]

Seagulls, a familiar presence at Britain's seaside resorts, seagulls have this summer spread fear after ambushing holidaymakers as they tuck into their fish and chips, and even attacking pets.

The country's tabloid newspapers have had a field day, with headlines including: "Seagull stole my iPhone" (The Sun), "Moment killer seagull turns cannibal" (The Daily Mail) and "Psycho seagulls keep out illegals" (Daily Express).

Even the broadsheets have joined in, with The Sunday Times warning that "Gull gangs learn new tricks to steal your seafront snacks".

The squawking menaces have always had a bad reputation as scavengers.

But the gulls are now apparently growing in audacity and rather than feeding on leftovers are targeting people's fish and chips, the battered haddock or cod combination traditionally eaten by holidaymakers, as they tuck in.

"They've been trained by terrorists, I'm sure," said Cliff Faires, owner of a seafood kiosk in the south coast resort of Brighton.

A sign outside his Brighton Shellfish and Oyster Bar warns: "Seagulls will snatch your food. Please be aware. We don't take any responsibility for this action."

Local witnesses described a common plan of attack used by the birds, whereby a lone assailant pounces on unsuspecting diners, forcing them to drop their food. At this point, hordes of reinforcements arrive to feast on the spilt remains.

"They'll eat everything except lemon and tabasco," one said.

"I see gulls grabbing food from people three or four times a day, more when it's sunny," said Chris, who works at a fish-and-chip kiosk on Brighton pier.