BOURNEMOUTH council says it is working “very hard” to tackle a rodent problem in the town.

Environmental health has joined forces with the council’s pest control service, cleansing and waste team, and community enforcement team in a bid to sort out rat infestations in a number of areas across the town centre.

The council said it had made visits to food businesses in light of the problem and would close establishments if it believed there was a public health risk.

It follows a recent closure of a Greggs store in Old Christchurch Road while a rat infestation was dealt with in the rear alleyway.

Last month, the Daily Echo also reported on similar problem in the Post Office Road area, which the council blamed on major development work at the nearby Bristol and West building.

However, the issue of rats is one that is affecting a number of areas in the town centre, according to a spokesperson for the borough.

“We are currently working very hard to deal with the problems of rats in Bournemouth,” they said.

“Although, many of the problems are on private land meaning that responsibility falls to the land owners to remove waste and carry out rodent treatments.

“Areas are being cleaned, structural improvements are being made and a number of initiatives are being trialled to prevent vermin gaining access to bins.

“Visits have and will continue to be carried out to food businesses, to provide advice on preventative measures and, where necessary, close businesses where it is believed that there is a public health risk.

“Our litter enforcement team operate across the borough but have a particular focus on the town centre and Boscombe and will continue to carry out work in these areas.”

They added the council deals with complaints about rats, provides advice and also offers a pest control service.

The Daily Echo has previously spoken to pest experts who said the rodent problem was exacerbated by the reduction in refuse collections, which are now fortnightly in Bournemouth.

Paul Storey, of TPD Environmental Services, said he had visited a couple of premises in the town centre which were “ridiculously infested”.

Councillor David Smith, portfolio holder for planning and environment, said: “We are aware that there is a rat problem in the town and it is significantly contributed to by the waste created by fast food outlets at night, and we are working closely with businesses as to how they present their trade waste.”