A giant rat measuring 22 inches (56cm) from nose to tail has been discovered in a home in Normanby, Teesside, sparking concerns over the area’s worsening rodent problem. The creature, described as being the size of a cat, was removed by a pest controller.
Conservative councillor Stephen Martin, whose Eston ward is near the discovery, said the find was not an isolated incident. “Rats are being spotted more and more around our area. It has been getting worse for a few years now,” he said. Martin blamed cuts to council pest control services, noting that Redcar and Cleveland Council no longer offers pest control to private residents.
The council’s website states it can provide free advice over the phone, but responsibility for dealing with pests lies with the occupant. Martin argued that many residents cannot afford private pest control, and the problem often starts on council or housing association land. He also pointed to issues with contaminated recycling bins not being emptied, leaving rubbish on the ground that attracts rats.
Fellow councillor David Taylor said he had seen many rats but none the size of this one. He highlighted that recent housing developments had displaced rats from fields into urban areas, and combined with an increase in takeaway food and fly-tipping, the situation has become a “perfect storm”. Taylor called for a coordinated approach involving government, councils, water boards, landlords, and businesses.
Both councillors are urging the council to conduct a full vermin survey and treatment plan across the borough. “The longer this is ignored, the worse it will get,” they warned. A council spokesperson said the authority has a dedicated pest control officer for council-owned land and works with partners to address complex issues, while offering advice to residents online.
