RUBBISH has been blamed for an influx of large, wild birds in the Hopkins Precinct in Alcester which, according to some residents, are posing a safety threat.

The birds, which are thought to be rooks and crows, regularly scavenge in the bins and on the ground.

One bold character has been seen in Tesco Express pecking the biscuits, while another was seen to swoop on a woman and try to take fish and chips out of her hand.

Andy Waters, public affairs officer for the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, said the birds were not likely to attack people and were only searching for food.