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Schoolkids have been banned from playing outside – after being mugged by birds of prey.

Dozens of terrified youngsters have been attacked and had their lunches stolen by marauding red kites.

Now they are being told to stay indoors at break-time after being repeatedly targeted by the ravenous birds.

One lad at Icknield community college, in Watlington, Oxon, needed a tetanus jab after being pecked on the arm.

Pupil Joe Biggins, 16, said: “They swarm around while we’re eating and swoop down to grab the food out of our hands.

“When they’re flying you don’t realise how big they are. But close up, they’re very intimidating.”

Another frightened pupil, Amy Spicer, 14, added: “It’s really scary. They’re beautiful birds but they’re also very vicious. When you see their claws outstretched, it’s terrifying.

“One of my friends almost lost an eye when one of them tried to snatch a sausage roll out of her hand.”

The red kites have also been spotted perching on prams as they search for food in the town centre.

Now there are growing calls for a cull of the birds, which were reintroduced to the Chilterns in the 1990s after becoming virtually extinct in England in 1871.

Local farmer Susan Hemmache said: “I’ve seen them grab chickens and even a squirrel. There’s just too many of them.”

Officials at nearby RAF Benson have raised fears that the booming population of birds could pose a hazard to flying.

But RSPB conservation officer Colin Wilkinson said: “Red kites are a tremendous success story. Most people are delighted to see them back.”