Petition to Knowsley Council: Take Urgent Action on Rat Infestations Across the Borough 🐀

We, the residents of Knowsley, demand immediate and comprehensive action from Knowsley Council to tackle the ongoing rat problem affecting our communities.

The Problem:

Rats are a growing problem across Knowsley, causing:

Chewing through gates, fences, and car wires

Invading bins, gardens, and homes

Threats to public health and safety, including children, the elderly, and vulnerable residents

Legal Obligations:

Knowsley Council has a legal duty under multiple laws to address this issue:

Prevention of Damage by Pests Act 1949 – requires councils to control rats and mice in urban and residential areas.

Environmental Protection Act 1990 (Part III) – obliges councils to investigate and prevent public health risks from pests.

Public Health Acts 1936 & 1961 – give councils authority to act against nuisances, including rat infestations, that threaten public health.

Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 – applies where infestations impact workplaces or public facilities.

Housing Act 2004 (HHSRS) – councils must ensure housing is free from serious hazards, including infestations that endanger residents.

Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 – councils have powers to tackle environmental issues that cause harassment, alarm, or distress, including infestations.

Failure to act breaches these obligations and puts residents’ health, safety, and property at serious risk.

We Call on Knowsley Council to:

Investigate and assess rat infestations across the entire borough immediately

Implement a comprehensive, borough-wide pest control plan, including monitoring and prevention

Ensure effective waste management to reduce rat attractants

Communicate transparently with residents about action plans, timelines, and outcomes

Every resident of Knowsley deserves to live safely and without fear of rats. Sign this petition to hold Knowsley Council accountable and demand urgent action across the borough.