Hawk attacks 'at least a dozen people' in village

Roy Lambden said the bird had cut people's heads

A video taken from a man's home security system showed the moment he was attacked by a swooping bird of prey, believed to be a Harris's hawk.

People in the Hertfordshire village of Flamstead said the bird was prone to dive at "tall men", with "at least a dozen people" being targeted.

"It attacks from behind and you're surprised, you suddenly get a whack on the head – a number of people get their heads cut," local Roy Lambden told the BBC.

A spokesperson for nearby Whipsnade Zoo said the bird was not theirs. They said they were aware of a Harris's hawk in the area and that it would not be "actively hostile towards humans" unless it felt threatened.

Mr Lambden, 68, said he thought the hawk had been around "on and off for a couple of months", but the attacks had only been happening "over the last week or so".

"Someone working in my garden got attacked twice, and another friend of mine got cut on the head," he said.

"It's moving around the village".

Mr Lambden said he was attacked on Sunday 2 March but only realised later that his CCTV system had captured the incident.

He said a falconer from the neighbouring village of Markyate was going to "attempt to trap it" with a humane trap.

"Local falconers are talking to people, working behind the scenes to get it back to its home," he added.

Whipsnade Zoo advised residents to contact "the RSPB or British Bird Council for advice at this stage, and our bird keepers will be on standby to help if they need us".

It added: "Birds of prey aren't actively hostile towards humans, but may attack if provoked or if they feel threatened if a person got too close.

"We do not recommend feeding birds of prey."

• Listen: village terrorised by hawk