RATS have infested a busy part of Bournemouth town centre occupied by restaurants, bars and shops.

A warning has been issued to the public and Bournemouth council says it will monitor the situation and “deal with any public health issues should they arise.”

The problem has arisen in the Post Office Road area with the council blaming major development work at the nearby Bristol and West building on the corner of Post Office Road and Richmond Hill and at Vandale House, above shops in Post Office Road.

It has stressed that food outlets in the area have been visited by Environmental Health officers and “have found no evidence of pests within the properties and are satisfied that there are no associated food hygiene issues.”

“The Council is aware of the issue of rats in the vicinity of Post Office Road” said a council spokesman. “Environmental Health, Waste Management and Community Enforcement officers have been involved in assessing the situation amongst the private household, retail and business properties at this location.”

He said household and commercial waste is being concentrated in a small area due to the two developments and added: “It is our opinion that the issue and scale of the infestation is a temporary one that will ease substantially once the developments are complete and the bins are dispersed to their normal operational locations.

“In the meantime, the Council would encourage residents, retailers and businesses in the vicinity to ensure that their waste is properly and securely contained to help reduce the incidence of rat infestation.”

The owner of the recently-vacated Hollywood Fancy Dress Store said he believes rats have been disturbed due to work in Vandale House.

“The problem has got so much worse since work on Vandale House. There are rat droppings everywhere and I believe it is a health hazard.”

Paul Storey of Dorset-based TPD Environmental Services said the number of rats is “always on the increase.”

He said both commercial and domestic properties are affected and added: “I am dealing with record numbers of rats.”

He said commercial waste is not always being disposed of properly and domestic properties are being affected due to many factors including composting, bird feeders and immunity to over-the-counter pesticides.

Mr Storey also said a reduction in refuse collections is likely to see the number of rats increase further.

He said the problem in Bournemouth is likely to have been exacerbated by major building projects.

He added: “When there is major development work, colonies of rats are disturbed and then they are forced to move.”

Councillor Bob Chapman urged businessowners and traders to be “vigilant”.

“It’s very disappointing to hear that this is a problem,” he said.

“We’ve got a good team who will be dealing with this.”

He said it is the first time a rat problem has been reported in the area in his memory.

“It’s not rampant in the town centre in any case,” he added.