Our street is plagued by monster rats… we can't open our windows & are terrified they have rabies & will bite our kids
It's a scorching summer day, with the UK experiencing its first heatwave of the year, but the full-time mum, 40, can't take any chances.
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Her family is one of many plagued by an army of monster rats "the size of cats" plaguing the back alley of Ellesmere Road in Benwell, Newcastle.
Local residents are terrified of catching diseases from the huge rodents - believed to number well over 100 - roaming the streets and entering their homes.
They're attracted to rubbish strewn across the alleyway, including rotten food, nappies and plastic bags, which residents say is caused by visitors from elsewhere raking through the bins and scattering debris on the floor in a never-ending cycle.
Rats brazenly sprint across the lane and disappear into backyards - at one point our reporter spotted a gang of 10 gathering around one bin while one leapt into the air to dive into a pile of rotting waste.
Jennifer told The Sun: "They are the size of cats. It's really worrying having kids. I can't let them play out in the street because of the rats.
"The council clean up the rubbish but within an hour it's back to being a mess.
"I can't open my kitchen window because they're on top of the bins trying to climb in.
"I'm petrified. The kids open the window and I'm straight there shutting it again. They are horrible."
Robert Colpitts, 62, who is unemployed, added: "Oh, God! There's loads of them, isn't there?
"They are massive. One of them I saw had massive claws, big teeth and looked like it had rabies.
My flat is infested with huge RATS as big as cats... my disabled son keeps eating their POO - the council won't help us
"They are not bothered by you, they just look at you as if you're stupid.
"You worry that when the kids come back saying they've hurt themselves that they've been bitten by a rat. I've seen nine today.
"People rake through the bins looking for things.
"I'm tempted to buy a gun and sit there and shoot the rats. It's not right, it's totally a disgrace."
The rundown area consists of rows of terraced homes with back lanes in between each street. Large industrial bins are placed there, where locals collectively dump their rubbish.
They are the size of cats. It's really worrying having kids. I can't let them play out in the street because of the rats
Jennifer Colpitts
Residents say the rodent infestation hit crisis point when shady figures started raiding their bins for clothes, food and personal documents overnight without putting unwanted items back.
Now many of the bins are filled to the brim with rats jumping up to try to get in.
Others have been set on fire and have food waste scattered around them on the floor.
Out of hand
Jade Shields, 29, a carer, said: "There were over 100 rats in the back lane on one day.
"I filmed a 24-second clip and there were rats everywhere. I turned around and there was one right next to my feet, and I screamed and left.
"It's revolting. It's been going on for a couple of years. Very recently, it's got out of hand.
"Ellesmere Road is the worst street for it. You can see rats running across the street.
"A man who lives in our street is constantly cleaning up and chasing people away who are trying to go through bins.
"It's people from the area that are too lazy to take their rubbish out and are throwing it over the wall. The bags split open, or birds tear them open and it causes rats.
"It's really bad. I'm scared in case it comes over to our street which is a few down.
"One of my friends lived here for 20 years and he was chased out by rats. They bit a hole into his house and got in so he had to leave."
'Prisoner in own home'
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Ray Bata, 30, a retail worker, added: "Local people dump unnecessary stuff in the back, they don't use their own bin. That's a real problem.
"There are too many rats, there are loads. I have seen some massive rats. You see them every day at any time.
"They don't only roam in the back, they come inside and damage things in the property.
"There is a pungent smell at the back near the bins. We always keep the door shut so the rats don't come inside.
"You are a prisoner in your own home. We had rats inside the home around three months ago."
Aran Sared, 41, a takeaway manager, said: "The rats are the size of rabbits, they are huge.
"We are scared of the rats coming into the home so we cannot open the back door.
"The problem is getting worse and worse every day. I was growing vegetables in my garden but I had to throw them away because the rats got to them.
"I have a newborn baby so I'm worried the rats will make her ill.
"People rake through the bins and don't put anything back, which causes the issue.
"I have seen them doing it when I get back from work at 2am and I confront them but they say they 'aren't from here' and look for trouble.
"There is more than 100 rats on any day in the back lanes.
"We used to have BBQs out the back with neighbours and the floor was so clean if you dropped it you could pick it up and throw it on the grill. Now it is a mess."
Identity fraud
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Jade added that local residents are now forced to burn or shred their personal documents before throwing them away because bin raiders are stealing them.
She explained: "People go through the rubbish to find items. They try to find documents with your name on and commit identity fraud.
"You have to set your documents alight before throwing it away so no-one uses your details.
"People also go through the rubbish looking for clothes so they can sell them.
"Because the back lanes are such a mess, people come here to fly tip as well. They think no-one will notice because of the state of the back lane."
Clean-up attempt
A Newcastle City Council spokesperson said: "Fly-tipping and bin misuse are criminal offences. This behaviour is unacceptable in Newcastle and offenders will be prosecuted.
"We are committed to keeping Newcastle's streets clean and welcoming for everyone and while the vast majority of residents and businesses dispose of their waste responsibly, we continue to face challenges from a small minority who blight our neighbourhoods through fly-tipping and littering.
"To address this, we've taken a number of proactive steps to improve cleanliness in the city's back lanes. These include increasing bin capacity, adjusting street sweeping schedules to ensure early morning cleaning, and working closely with local businesses to improve waste storage practices.
"We've also identified issues such as 'bin raiding', where individuals rummage through bins, and improper waste disposal by some residents.
"Our local services teams and enforcement officers are working together to tackle these environmental crimes to ensure our communities feel clean, safe, and respected.
"Reducing anti-social behaviour and environmental crime remains one of our top priorities.
"We need everyone - residents, businesses, and community organisations - to play their part by disposing of waste correctly and reporting any issues they see.
"If you witness fly-tipping or traders misusing domestic bins, please report it by calling 0191 278 7878 and asking for 'Your Local Services', or by visiting our website at www.newcastle.gov.uk.
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