‘Disgusting’ rat problems plaguing Middlesbrough

Images and video show the extent of the rat problem in the area of Laycock Street and Orwell Street in Middlesbrough.

It comes ahead of an upcoming Middlesbrough Council budget that promises more cash to deal with the rodents. The evidence was shared by the resident, who wished to remain anonymous but wanted to spread the word about the “horrible” situation, describing the rat problem as “disgusting”.

A number of rats, presumed dead, in a TS1 back alley. No attribution required. Free for LDRS use.

The woman, who lives with her mam in a North Star property, said she had reported the rat problem “numerous times”. The 27-year-old who has lived in the property nearly all her life says the rat situation is the “worst” she has ever seen, adding: “I know these streets have always been quite rough, but this is just beyond a joke right now.”

Some of the back alley mess. No attribution required. Free for LDRS use.

North Star said that they understand how “upsetting” it can be to be worried about rats or other pests and take reports “very seriously”, adding that their priority is to help tenants feel “safe and reassured” in their homes. Middlesbrough Council meanwhile warned of unsecured waste contributing to rodent problems.

In the back alley between Laycock Street and Orwell Street, bin lids are often reportedly being left open, the unhappy resident explained, adding that new communal bins are meant to keep the rats out, but are failing to do so.

She explained how older bins had drainage holes in them, which enabled rats to get in and out. However, the new bins don’t have the same gap, so the rats get in and get stuck. She recently captured a video of “a family of rats” in a communal bin.

“We’re not going to get rid of them now, it’s disgusting,” she said. She added that the stench of rat urine is noticeable as soon as she opens the back gate and that there are droppings “all over the place”.

The dispirited resident, who volunteers at a local youth club, explained how she has a neighbour, who lives in her own property – not social housing – where the bathroom ceiling acts as an indicator of where rats are, as they’ve “chewed everything”, she claimed. When it comes to people who have their own properties, the local resident said: “The council won’t help and people haven’t got the money to do it themselves”.

“You shouldn’t have to live in an area where you’re paranoid that a rat is going to pop out on you or something, it’s horrible,” the TS1 local said. “When I was little, we had sheds out the back, and I had dolls prams, and mam had to take the prams out of the shed and put them in the bins, because there was rat droppings. Back then it was like a minor thing, but now it’s getting to the point where we’re overrun with them.”

She did also think that local residents needed to take accountability to control the problem, highlighting people leaving bin bags in their backyards and not using the bins properly, saying: “It’s just going around in circles.”

Responding, a Middlesbrough Council spokesman said: “Any unsecured waste left outside properties or in alleyways is a big contributory factor to issues with rodents. We urge members of the public and businesses to play their part in looking after their neighbourhood by making sure waste is secure and disposed of correctly.”

Bin collections in communal alleys across the Newport/Central and North Ormesby wards remain weekly. Last year, the council increased its pest control team from one to four technicians who address issues in back alleys. In the proposed budget for 2026/27, more than £150,000 is earmarked to offer a free pest control service to residents having problems with pests, including rats.

Carole Richardson, executive director of customers at North Star, said: “When a concern is raised, we act quickly and work closely with the local council to make sure it is properly investigated and dealt with. We provide a free pest control service, delivered by Middlesbrough Council, and promptly carry out any follow-on work they recommend after their inspection.

“We are aware that there are wider concerns about rats in the local area, and we will continue to work closely with the council’s environmental health team to address these. We would encourage tenants to report any sightings as soon as possible so that we can investigate and take action quickly. Where appropriate, we will arrange inspections, put preventative measures in place where we can, and provide support to any tenants affected.”