Commuters in Manchester were stunned by a grizzly sight in the early hours of the day last week.
A video submitted to The Manc shows a huge seagull eating its breakfast in the middle of the Northern Quarter.
And its breakfast was a PIGEON.
In the shocking video, the massive gull flings the limp pigeon around in the air while people around make their way to work along Oldham Street.
The pigeon eating a seagull in the Northern Quarter. Credit: Supplied, Anna Aslanova
It even pauses to stare straight into the camera before turning back to its defenceless snack.
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Bloodthirsty ‘murder gulls’ went on the rampage down in London during lockdown, with The Mirror reporting that they were roaming the canal towpaths.
People in the capital said that the issue had got worse when there was reduced human activity during the pandemic, forcing the birds to look for food elsewhere.
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One man told the paper: “We call them murder gulls, apparently it started in lockdown when they couldn’t get any food.
“They go amongst the pigeons and pick off the stupidest ones and eat them alive, it’s awful. I’ve even seen them get hold of rats.”
And now the phenomenon has spread up north too.
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As well as the incident in the Northern Quarter, it appears the murderous seagulls are also prowling around Piccadilly.
One person tweeted to say: “I saw a seagull eating a dead pigeon outside Piccadilly today, lovely Friday vibes here in Manchester.”
Councillor Jon-Connor Lyons recently tweeted: “Some may joke, but Seagulls are moving in land & unlike pigeons, they are large, aggressive & a protected species in mainland UK.
“Given their protected status, ensuring there is as little food left about as possible in our towns & cities is the way to reduce their numbers.”
Featured image: User submission, Anna Aslanova
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Arrest made after 14-year-old boy found in critical condition on Market Street
Daisy Jackson
An arrest has been made after a teenage boy was found unresponsive on Market Street in Manchester city centre.
Detectives believe that the boy, 14, was approached by seven males who stole a designer jacket from him.
Following the altercation, he went into cardiac arrest and was rushed to hospital in a critical condition.
Thankfully, the teenager is continuing to recover well.
Detectives from Manchester City Centre Criminal Investigation Department confirmed that an 18-year-old male was arrested yesterday, Thursday 20 February.
He has been arrested on suspicion of robbery and remains in police custody.
Detective Inspector Mark Astbury of GMP’s City Centre Criminal Investigation Department, said: “We hope the victim can continue his recovery following what must have been a terrifying ordeal for him.
“Officers are fully investigating all aspects of this shocking incident that has left a man with serious injuries in hospital.
“Our work doesn’t stop here, we are continuing to investigate this incident and information from the public plays an incredibly important role in our investigations and I ask that the community keep talking to us and keep sharing their concerns with us so our teams can act.”
If you have any information, contact GMP 101 or 0161 856 4305 quoting log 2854 of 16/2/25.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials
Emily Sergeant
Trials are currently underway to see if comedy could be an alternative to antidepressants as a way to reduce NHS costs.
UK tech company Craic Health has secured important funding for its ‘comedy on prescription’ project that’s aimed at helping the Government work with the comedy industry, communities, and organisations on comedy-based social prescriptions in the hope that they can solve financial struggles within the NHS.
The groundbreaking scheme uses stand-up shows and workshops to help people who are isolated, lonely, and vulnerable.
Craic believes comedy is an ‘untapped opportunity’ to improve health and wellbeing, and has a goal to make comedy easier to access, so that it can help communities experience its mental health and social benefits.
To achieve this, the company has started trialling Comedy-on-Prescription experiences in the UK – starting in London, with the potential for expansion – which includes things like curated comedy panel game show events and workshops, and general stand-up comedy shows at some of the capital’s world-famous venues.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
“Mental health issues like loneliness, isolation, and stress are more common than ever,” the company explains.
“So much so that it’s projected that by 2030, mental health problems, particularly depression, will be the leading cause of mortality and morbidity globally, [but] in this challenging world, comedy stands out as a universal language that breaks barriers.
“Research shows that comedy and laughter have powerful effects – they bring people together, create positive connections, and make life more enjoyable.”
Craic Health says that social prescribing, of which Comedy-on-Prescription is a part of, is all about inclusivity, which makes it making it suitable for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.
Its focus is on personalised support, tailored to individual needs and preferences.
Daisy Jackson -
2nd August 2022 
