A COUNCILLOR is calling on people not to feed pigeons amid concerns that their numbers in Stroud are rising.

Stroud District Councillor Chas Townley said: "There is clearly a range of views on the impact that having an increasing population of pigeons has on the town centre, but it is apparent that it can create unsafe areas due to pigeon droppings.

"They also carry infections that can be transmitted to humans."

Many buildings in Stroud now feature anti-pigeon measures such as spikes to prevent birds nesting on them and netting to prevent access.

And closed waste bins are being phased in.

However, despite these preventative measures, the issue is getting worse, said Mr Townley.

He now wants people to play their part in limiting pigeon numbers by not giving them food.

"Discouraging feeding means that it will help pigeons to disperse and move away from the town centre," he said.

Mr Townley has suggested the following steps which will help address the situation:

* When feeding smaller birds, cage in all food so that pigeons cannot reach it.

* Pigeon-proof feeders are often available when buying new feeders.

* Do not feed pigeons on the street or close to neighbouring properties.

He said: "At this stage I feel that persuasion and discouragement is the order of the day and it is reassuring that Stroud District’s environmental health team are talking to people who regularly feed pigeons in the town centre.

"In other areas where it has previously been a problem it has been necessary to use anti-social behaviour legislation to stop people feeding them in the street."

A Stroud District Council spokesperson said: “Stroud District Council’s Environmental Health officers will give advice on how to deter pigeons from roosting on buildings, and building owners would need assistance from a private company if they need to take action.

"Diseases can be transmitted from pigeons to people but cases of disease directly linked to wild birds are rare.

"We can act on complaints about feeding of wild pigeons which causes a nuisance. We have had no recorded complaints about pigeons in the last 3 years.”