Glasgow's streets are being plagued by rats as horrified locals terrorised by 'rodents the size of cats' | 03I801X | 2024-04-27 06:08:01
GLASGOW'S residents are being plagued by terrorised by the city's rat problem – with some sightings of "rodents the size of CATS".
The bin workers' union wants authorities to declare a "rat emergency" amid the desperate situation.
The GMB Union say giant vermin are making it impossible for refuse and cleansing staff to do their jobs.
Union members say they have been receiving emergency treatment after bites and scratches.
Recent reports say rats are being seen there the size of cats – or small dogs.
The GMB Union now wants Glasgow City Council to declare a "vermin emergency", STV News reports.
One worker told STV they have been instructed to "kick bins" before opening them – to check for rats.
He said: "It just keeps getting worse, and now you're seeing rats the size of cats because there's plenty of food for them to eat.
"It's unacceptable."
Chris Mitchell from GMB Union said there is a "rat pandemic".
He told STV: "It's just getting worse and worse. It's cuts in pest control, cuts in statuary services."
Last November the union boss warned the rat scourge has become a "daily occurrence" for the city's cleansing crews, which has ended up harming their mental health.
<!-- End of Brightcove Player --> Glasgow City Council has been inundated with over 10,000 complaints about rodent infestations.
We previously told how city officials witnessed a 31 per cent rise in rat reports in 2022.
Council staff have even been hit by the issue, with almost 400 sightings of rats inside the local authority's buildings.
The widespread vermin problem has become so bad that public health chiefs warned current pest control measures may be "unable to contain" the infestation.
</div> </div> One street has even become a no-go area for some refuse collectors – with some areas overrun by vermin reportedly the size of CHIHUAHUAS.
One local mum told how she caught one trying to climb in through her bathroom window despite spending thousands of pounds on preventative methods.
And she says she will never let her kids play in the garden because of the issue.
We previously revealed how Glasgow retirement homes have been terrorised by the disease-carrying rodents.
Residents in the city's Springburn area claimed the city council and housing factor are not doing enough to prevent the spread of the vermin.
A spokesman for Glasgow City Council told STV: "Our refuse collection team is working with the full establishment of staff, although absence continues to be an issue that requires to be managed.
"The current on-street bin hub project also allows us to collect refuse more efficiently and this will allow staff to work on other necessary environmental tasks.
"Staff health and safety is an absolute priority and we have robust procedures to protect staff well-being.
"If staff encounter an infestation in the course of their duties it should be reported immediately and appropriate action will be taken by our environmental health team.
"The trade unions are directly involved in developing health and safety procedures and also which PPE is worn by staff.
"Rats are always in search of food and somewhere to nest.
"It is crucial that householders and property managers ensure food waste is properly contained and bin courts are kept in good order to deter rats.
"In a city of over 300,000 homes, thankfully only a very small percentage of properties are affected by rats at any one time."
Union members say they have been receiving emergency treatment after bites and scratches[/caption]
Glasgow City Council has been inundated with over 10,000 complaints about rodent infestations[/caption]
The citys residents are being plagued by vermin (ARCHIVE IMAGE)[/caption]
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The GMB Union say giant vermin are making it impossible for refuse and cleansing staff to do their jobs[/caption]
Union bosses say the rats are now a public health issue[/caption]
Public health chiefs worry pest control measures wont be enough to curb the infestation[/caption]
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