A HUNT has been launched after a gull was killed by a group of men in Hereford.

Two men were reported to have run at a flock of gulls near the Baptist church in Hereford's Commercial Road at around 3am on Sunday, June 30, a spokesperson for West Mercia Police said.

One of the men then caught one of the birds and killed it, the spokesperson said.

Officers are now searching for information on the incident and have released a CCTV image of three men who are believed to have been in the area at the time. 

They may be able to help investigating officers with their enquiries, the spokesperson said. 

Police want to speak to the men pictured or anyone else who may have relevant information.

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Contact PC Carl Harris by emailing carl.harris@westmercia.police.uk or calling 07971395023.

What is the law on gulls?

The RSPCA said that, like all wild birds, gulls, their chicks and their nests are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

This means that is illegal to intentionally kill, take or injure gulls, take or destroy their eggs or damage their nests while in use or being built. 

The only exception is for those acting under a valid license.

"Although gulls are a common sight in many areas near the coast, some species of gull, such as herring gulls and kittiwakes, are actually on the UK Red List," the RSPCA said. 

"They're considered species of conservation concern in the UK because there's evidence suggesting that their populations are in decline overall."