Our seaside town is ruined by an ‘explosion’ of rats – they’ve taken over & a ‘wasteland’ by Wetherspoons is to blame
LOCALS living in a seaside town have told their area has been taken over by an “explosion” of rats.
People, from Margate in Kent, said their streets have become a hotspot for filthy rodents.
Horrified Jamie Jones witnessed how the critters jumped from behind the alley at The Mechanical Elephant Wetherspoon pub.
He recorded the creepy moment in a shocking video only steps away from the popular seafront in Hall By The Sea Road.
Footage shows at least six of the “brazen” animals sitting on bins, with two climbing on a metal cage.
The rats scatter once Jamie is right next to them – with one trapped inside the trolley.
The fuming vape shop owner said: “I used to see just one or two, but recently the rat population has exploded.
“They live on the waste ground behind the arcades. The rubbish there is awful and has been left to rot for a long time.”
Although no rats have been spotted inside the pub, residents said overflowing bins and rotting litter near Wetherspoons have turned their town into a “wasteland”.
He added: “I’ve noticed the amount of rodents growing since early February.”
“They live on the waste ground behind the arcades. The rubbish there is awful and has been left to rot for a long time.”
Jamie, who walks through the alley every day, said the the filthy animals are now running loose in their streets.
The 41-year-old said: “I usually pass a couple of chefs sitting outside that door, having a well-deserved break, but this time there was no one and I guess the rats felt confident enough to come out and look for food.
“They are brazen – they didn’t really care I was there.
“I hope something can be done to clean up the area and deal with the rat infestation.”
Wetherspoon bosses claimed the pubs are regularly checked up to maximum standards under the national food hygiene inspection scheme.
Spokesman Eddie Gershon said: “The issue of rats to the rear of both the pub and other nearby businesses has been an ongoing one.
“They are attracted from nearby wasteland by a number of overflowing bins and fly tipped waste.
“We have placed traps in the area to reduce activity.
The problem has also been reported to Thanet Distric Council by other local businesses.
A council spokesman told The Sun Online: “Council officers have received no formal reports of an issue in this area,
“However, having been made aware of a video circulating on Thursday 14 September, arrangements have been made for officers to investigate.”
It comes as a street was declared a no-go area for refuse collectors – because of giant rats “the size of chihuahuas”.
Union bosses ordered refuse removal teams not to enter the area – after they were overrun by vermin the size of small dogs.
Residents in Earl Street in Scotstoun in Glasgow’s west end claimed the lack of action has left the street a mess.
Elsewhere, other terrified residents say their area used to be trendy but has now been ruined by swarms of huge rats roaming in packs
Angry locals in South London said the “pigeon-hunting” rodents have taken over and have slammed the council for not cleaning.