Hawks could soon become a familiar sight on a town centre street, as councillors search for a way to reduce hazardous pigeon droppings.
The death of a 10-year-old boy in Scotland from a dropping related infection has prompted Diss Town Council to investigate solutions to the 'significant issue'.
One suggestion to reduce the large pigeon population in Diss involves flying hawks onto buildings to discourage the birds from roosting.
A spokesman for nearby pest control company Dealey Bird Control and Falconry, told the council: 'I see the pigeons making a mess of the high street and heritage triangle which I feel is a great shame to what could be a lovely looking town, but I would like to help with making it a nicer place and have the tools available to me to do this.'
The pest control company is interested in introducing a falconry service for a charge of around £2 from each shop, and said the hawks are not trained to kill.
Councillors are waiting for the Traders Trust to respond to the idea before a decision is made.
Breathing dust or water droplets containing contaminated bird droppings can lead to several diseases, including psittacosis, with flu-like symptoms, and salmonella - a bacterial infection that can cause diarrhoea. Contact with droppings can be very serious when a person has an extremely weak immune system, such as cancer or HIV patients.
A council report for its infrastructure committee said: 'The mess left by pigeons is a significant issue in Diss particularly along Mere Street, at the Mere's Mouth, on the boardwalk and at the Corn Hall.
'Given the recent death of a child in Scotland and the dangers associated with breathing in the dust particularly from dried pigeon droppings, it is recommended that members consider what the council can do to reduce the problem.'
Many buildings in the town are adorned with spikes to discourage pigeons from roosting, but Sue Dutton, who works at Diss Discounts said the birds frequently get impaled or stuck, which businesses have to deal with.
At an infrastructure committee meeting on Wednesday, councillors agreed to write to Diss businesses to enlist their support.
Pigeons have been a problem in Diss for many years.
A particular hotspot for the birds is the Mere's Mouth, where dozens congregate every day.
Brigitte Mager, owner of Diss Publishing Bookshop on Mere Street, next to the Mere's Mouth, said: 'We all love wildlife but we must be able to distinguish between vermin and birds.
'Unfortunately pigeon poo has been found to cause death. As a result we must take action when the population has exploded and is potentially causing harm to residents and visitors of Diss.
'The only solution is an overnight cull to reduce the population.'
More nature-friendly solutions are being looked at by Diss Town Council, including netting, and the non-lethal use of a pest control hawk. A report released in advance of Wednesday's meeting said the Countryside and Wildlife Act, which protects wood pigeons, would need to be considered.
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