Hotspots for rats in Newcastle, Sunderland and Durham revealed

Figures show that there were more sightings of the pesky rodents in the east end suburb of Newcastle than anywhere else across the region last year.

Newcastle City Council’s pest control team received 184 rat reports from Walker in 2022, the highest of any area in Tyneside, Wearside, Northumberland and Durham.

Another district of Newcastle had the second largest figure, with 168 vermin sightings in the west end ward of Benwell and Scotswood, while Sunderland’s Sandhill was third with 130.

Sunderland ranked worst overall for the total number of rat incidents – with its tally of 2,424 being noticeably higher than the other six council areas who responded to freedom of information requests from the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

See the rat callouts near you in our interactive map below:

City council officials on Wearside said that their statistics may have been inflated due to the fact that Sunderland is the only local authority in the region that offers free pest control callouts.

Coun Claire Rowntree, deputy leader of Sunderland City Council, said: “Sunderland City Council is the only council in the region which offers free domestic pest control call-outs and treatments for pests in residential properties, and this may contribute to more reports of rat sightings.  We ask all residents, businesses and visitors to dispose of their litter appropriately and issue fixed penalty notices to anyone found littering.”

Newcastle City Council, which has previously come under fire for its £84 charge to deal with a rodent infestation, said it “can be distressing seeing rats in communities and it is an issue we take very seriously”.

A spokesperson added: “As in all major cities, rats are unfortunately a part of life and there are several steps we take to control the vermin population. In public spaces, we identify potential sources of rats in the area and take appropriate action where necessary.

“We work closely with Northumbrian Water who carry out a sewer baiting programme and we proactively engage with businesses to ensure waste is managed responsibly. We also educate people on how small steps taken in and around the home can reduce the risk of attracting rats.

“Rats are often attracted to bags of rubbish left beside bins so it is everyone’s responsibility to dispose of waste correctly. Residents and businesses can help with this by ensuring all waste is bagged, put in bins with lids on and not overfilling them.

“Our dedicated team of qualified pest control technicians provide an expert, cost effective service to tackle infestations in homes and premises.”

By a margin of more than 500, North Tyneside Council received the fewest rat reports in the region.

The total number of rats reports received by each council in 2022 was:

Sunderland – 2,424

Durham – 1,911

Newcastle – 1,785

Gateshead – 924

Northumberland – 771

South Tyneside – 723

North Tyneside – 210

Below is a full breakdown of where those callouts were, on a ward by ward basis, though Northumberland and North Tyneside councils were not able to provide such detailed information.

Newcastle 

Arthur’s Hill – 54

Benwell and Scotswood – 168

Blakelaw – 115

Byker – 122

Callerton and Throckley – 109

Castle – 8

Chapel – 6

Dene and South Gosforth – 36

Denton and Westerhope – 28

Elswick – 108

Fawdon and West Gosforth – 64

Gosforth – 25

Heaton – 23

Kenton – 82

Kingston Park South and Newbiggin Hall – 108

Lemington – 85

Manor Park – 41

Monument – 57

North Jesmond – 22

Ouseburn – 53

Parklands – 20

South Jesmond – 26

Walker – 184

Walkergate – 75

West Fenham – 88

Wingrove – 78

Sunderland

St Peters – 79

Washington North – 69

Ryhope – 79

Redhill – 56

Hendon – 103

Castle – 64

Sandhill -130

Washington Central – 37

St Chads – 75

Pallion – 96

Silsworth – 85

Southwick – 120

Copt Hill – 105

Houghton – 125

Washington East – 30

St Annes – 106

Hetton – 105

Barnes – 115

Fulwell – 70

Washington South – 83

St Michaels – 88

Shiney Row – 104

Doxford – 104

Millfield – 80

Washington West – 70

Ward not specified (sewers or open land) – 246

Durham

Neville’s Cross – 48

Ferryhill – 39

Peterlee West – 36

Passfield – 28

Dawdon – 57

Easington – 50

Benfieldside – 27

Consett South – 18

Willington and Hunwick- 53

Tanfield – 16

Burnopfield and Dipton – 17

Elvet and Gilesgate – 39

North Lodge – 9

Leadgate and Medomsley – 44

Deneside – 35

Coundon – 28

Peterlee East – 67

Craghead and South Moor – 24

Brandon – 24

Deerness – 38

Framwellgate and Newton Hall – 48

Chilton – 13

Shildon and Dene Valley – 54

Chester-le-Street East – 16

Lanchester – 29

Chester-le-Street West Central – 14

Weardale – 37

Coxhoe – 67

Sacriston – 23

Annfield Plain – 29

Blackhalls – 55

Trimdon and Thornley – 82

Delves Lane – 31

Bishop Middleham and Cornforth -31

Crook – 47

West Auckland – 48

Barnard Castle East – 11

Pelton – 21

Murton – 30

Horden – 42

Spennymoor – 38

Chester-le-Street North – 7

Tow Law -13

Seaham – 11

Aycliffe North and Middridge – 16

Sedgefield – 32

Tudhoe – 33

Stanley -11

Shotton and South Hetton – 42

Sherburn – 32

Belmont – 65

Aycliffe West – 21

Aycliffe East – 21

Consett North – 21

Bishop Auckland Town – 19

Woodhouse Close – 19

Chester-le-Street South – 10

Lumley – 8

Wingate – 11

Evenwood -15

Esh and Witton Gilbert -20

Durham South – 10

Barnard Castle West – 1

South Tyneside

Biddick and All Saints – 69

Beacon and Bents – 50

Boldon Colliery – 16

Bede – 82

Cleadon and East Boldon – 56

Cleadon Park – 52

Fellgate and Hedworth – 37

Harton – 46

Horsley Hill – 14

Hebburn North – 22

Hebburn South – 25

Monkton – 29

Primrose – 76

Simonside and Rekendyke – 42

Westoe – 22

Whiteleas – 31

Whitburn and Marsden – 41

West Park – 12

Gateshead 

Birtley – 34

Blaydon – 21

Bridges – 27

Chopwell and Rowlands Gill – 51

Chowdene – 47

Crawcrook and Greenside – 38

Deckham – 69

Dunston and Teams – 57

Dunston Hill and Whickham East – 23

Felling – 82

High Fell – 84

Lamesley – 62

Lobley Hill and Bensham – 44

Low Fell – 56

Pelaw and Heworth – 44

Ryton Crookhill and Stella – 40

Saltwell – 25

Wardley and Leam Lane – 28

Whickham North – 18

Whickham South and Sunniside – 10

Windy Nook and Whitehills – 42

Winlaton and High Spen – 20

Ward not recorded – 89

Northumberland

Northumberland County Council could not provide a more detailed breakdown as it does not record information on rat reports at a ward level.

North Tyneside 

North Tyneside Council could not provide a more detailed breakdown as it does not record information on rat reports at a ward level.