A shoplifting bird dubbed “Steven Seagull” has been banned from a convenience store for flying off with packets of crisps over a six-year stealing spree.

Staff at the Lyndale Central store in Wyke Regis, Dorset, have put up posters urging customers to “close the door” behind them in a bid to stop Steven.

The manager of the store, Stuart Harmer, said the crafty seagull had made off with about 30 packets of crisps in the past two months alone.

He said: “Trying to explain to the powers that be that I’ve got stock loss because of a seagull – they think its a joke.”

Mr Harmer said Steven “comes in the shop when the doors open, puts his head around the corner of the door, nicks a packet of crisps and flies off with it”.

According to Mr Harmer, Steven is particularly fond of BBQ beef flavoured crisps.

Once he is outside the shop on Portland Road he uses his beak to open the packet and then eats the crisps in the streets alongside his feathered friends.

“Loads of customers have seen him do it, he’s not shy.” said Mr Harmer.

He admitted Steven was “very daring and sometimes annoying” but conceded “what can you do?”

Staff at the shop have used posters to encourage customers to keep the door closed behind them but Mr Harmer said even “if the door’s shut then he will bang his beak on the door to open it”.

He added that in a desperate move to stop the thief, the team put out a selection of spicy flavoured crisps but Steven ignored them and still managed to find his favourite flavour.