Anger in Westbrook as rats as big as bricks misery continues

Residents living in the Westbrook Crescent area say their lives have become a misery due to a large number of rats ‘as big as bricks’ roaming the streets.

It is believed that the rats are breeding in the pond near the traffic lights at Asda, with reports of them ‘running up and down’ Westbrook Crescent.

This is not the first time rats have been reported in the area, with measures put in place in December 2019 to tackle the issue.

Last month, Warrington Borough Council said a treatment programme had been established to resolve the problem.

But one resident says the rat problem is as bad as ever, and they have called for the pond to be filled in to prevent breeding.

Resident slams council ‘inaction’ as misery of rats ‘bigger than bricks’ continues

“Here we are weeks down the line and still the council have failed to come out – always an excuse,” they said.

“Too busy with wasps, then no bait stations in stock – the list goes on. I have emailed again to see what the latest excuse is.

“This is a small one (rat photographed), just what you want as you bring the kids home from school. Some of them I would say are bigger than a normal household brick.

“It is so bad. The council promised me they would come and they still have not been.”

They went on to say: “The main issue is even if the council put these baiting stations down, because they have an alternative food source they won’t take the bait.

“Apparently people are putting food in the bushes to feed the rats. They see them as wildlife and are enjoying feeding them.

Resident slams ‘lack of action’ as misery of rats ‘bigger than bricks’ continues

“I suggested the pest control team fill in the pond by the traffic lights, which is where they are living and breeding. I asked would that solve the issue and they said it would.

“The pond is a filthy dirty mess full of rotting rubbish. It serves no purpose to the community and is just a breeding ground for rats.”

In response, a council spokesman said: “We can confirm that our pest control service has put measures in place on public land to monitor and control rodent activity on parkland, as we are only able to set up bait stations on council-owned land.

“Rodent activity in the area is not confined to sites within our ownership.

“Therefore, there is also a role for private landowners in the area to investigate issues on their own land and put the necessary control measures in place to reduce rodent activity.”