Newcastle’s rat problem is on the rise – with the number of sightings jumping by more than 600 in the year the city went into lockdown.
There were 2,175 reports of the vile vermin to the city council in the 2020/21 year, a huge increase of almost 40% on the previous 12 months and the highest number since 2017.
Liberal Democrat councillor Greg Stone raised the issue at a full council meeting last week, saying that rats had “rarely been an issue” in his two decades as a councillor but that he had noticed a “significant increase” in the past year.
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The council originally responded that there had only been a “small 8% increase” in reports, requests and enquiries relating to rats compared to a 10-year average.
However, figures since obtained by the Local Democracy Reporting Service show that the spike in 2020/21 was in fact far more dramatic than the council had suggested.
In the three years prior, there had been annual totals of 1,472, 1,364, and 1,569 rat incidents – before jumping to 2,175 in 2020/21.
The council now says that the closure of businesses during lockdown measures meant more rats moved into residential areas to find food and that the vermin became “more visible” because people were spending so much more time at home.
Coun Stone said that the problem had “clearly escalated” and pinpointed areas in his Manor Park ward where sightings have become more regular – including Stephenson Road, the south end of the High Heaton estate, High Heaton allotments, and around Cochrane Park.
He added: "The council seems reluctant to admit there has been a 38% increase in rat reports in the city in the last year, with more than 2,000 cases recorded.
“I am prepared to accept that this problem may not be wholly of the council's making, but the figures suggest the problem has sharply increased, and I think it is fair to ask whether a more effective response from the council is needed."
A council spokesperson said that rats are “unfortunately a part of life in cities” and that incident numbers fluctuate each year due to factors including weather, temperature, and access to food – but “the exact reasons are not clear”.
They added: “For this reason we measure numbers across a 10 year average, as year to year comparisons may not offer an accurate picture of the problem.
“Over the past year we have seen the pandemic lead to an increase in the number of reports, as rats have moved away from areas with more food businesses, which have been closed, and into residential areas.
“Coupled to people spending more time at home during lockdown this has led the issue to be more visible, without necessarily meaning there are more rats than before.
“We will look to identify any steps that can be taken to tackle this ongoing issue, and work with partners and our communities to try and ensure as rodent free an environment as we possibly can.
“Of course residents can help us in this by placing all rubbish into bins, not overfilling them or leaving side waste in the street, and helping keep our streets the clean places we all want them to be.”
The number of rat reports, requests and enquiries to Newcastle City Council in the last 10 years:
2010/11 - 1,799
11/12 - 1,509
12/13 - 1,539
13/14 - 1,730
14/15 - 2,097
15/16 - 2,368
16/17 - 2,307
17/18 - 1,472
18/19 - 1,364
19/20 - 1,569
20/21 - 2,175
