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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
National
Aaliyah Rugg

Mum 'screamed' after she walked into her back garden

A woman who is always "looking over her shoulder" says action needs to be taken.

Many residents in Page Moss have been complaining of vermin issues they are facing. From "rats the size of cats" running in gardens, some parents are even scared to let their children go outside.

Colette Frederickson, from Green Way, has previously spoken out about the rat problems in the area as at one point, she even thought her home had been burgled. But now, she told the ECHO the situation has not improved.

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She has seen "large rats" jumping along her fence and in her bins, and she almost stood on one in her garden as she went to bring her washing in. She said: "I nearly stood on it.

"I ran, screaming the house down and my son came down saying you'd like someone was trying to murder me but they make my skin crawl. It wasn't moving and my daughter's partner came and he moved it, I don't know what happened to it.

"A few months ago I was watching the telly and saw something jump on the fence, I thought it was a cat you should've seen the size of it. It's horrible.

"I had a party for my grandson and I had to tell everyone to keep the door closed, you just can't leave it open and it's summer."

Collette said she feels she is constantly looking over her shoulder. She added: "You're always looking around, looking over your shoulder after work. They've destroyed me mentally, I'm just constantly thinking when they will come back, it plays havoc with your mental health."

Knowsley Council previously confirmed they are holding a series of Environmental Improvement Action Days across the borough. The action days will see a number of council teams and partners come together to target environmental issues in wards across Knowsley each month up to March next year.

Addressing the latest concerns, a spokesperson told the ECHO: "While our ‘action days’ are targeted initiatives involving a number of partner agencies, throughout the year our Environmental Health and Streetscene teams continue to visit the Page Moss area to respond to reports regarding rats and arrange sewer baiting in ‘hotspot’ areas, in partnership with United Utilities.

"We also offer advice to residents about the prevention of pests which includes residents ensuring that their gardens are well-maintained, that rubbish is securely bagged and binned, and that bird feeders are removed from gardens.

"If residents have a problem with rats, they can contact our Pest Control team at www.knowsley.gov.uk to request advice and treatment. If they believe that this is evidence of a wider problem, they can contact our Environmental Health Team on 0151 443 4712 or by email at environmentalhealth@knowsley.gov.uk."

For the upcoming programme, activities on the day will include clearing litter and fly tipping, removal of waste, checking for abandoned vehicles and empty homes compliance, Trading Standards checks on retailers and food hygiene inspections, as well as education and enforcement of businesses and residents who are failing to manage their waste.

There will also be a programme of sewer baiting, in partnership with United Utilities, aimed at controlling the rat population in the area.

When are the upcoming Environmental Action Days?

  • Prescot North: July 26
  • Halewood South: August 16
  • Prescot South: August 24
  • Whitefield: September 6
  • Stockbridge: September 27
  • Cherryfield, Kirkby: October 18
  • St Gabriel’s Huyton: October 31
  • Whiston and Cronton: November 7
  • Page Moss: November 29
  • St Michael’s, Huyton: January 10
  • Halewood North: January 31
  • Shevington: February 14
  • Roby: February 28
  • Swanside, Huyton: March 13

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