THESE disgusting images have been shared of rats scurrying around in Bradford. 

This photograph, taken by Mohammed Rauf, shows the creatures in Lister Park on Sunday. 

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

At least 10 can be seen across the path in the popular park. 

Meanwhile, Sajid Mahmood shot this video in Infirmary Fields, Lumb Lane, showing the rats swarming across the grass. 

He said he was "shocked and surprised" to see so many and that it's a problem which needs to be addressed.

Both incidents have been raised with Bradford Council. 

Community campaigner Cath Bacon shared the video and said: "This is a problem across all parks when cooked food is dumped.

"No one wakes up and thinks, 'I know what, I’ll go feed the rats' but that’s the end result.

"I know that wasting food is frowned on but we need education to look at portion control.

"If excess food cannot be given to friends, family or needy people it should be securely bagged up and binned.

"We need a combination of education as well as enforcement. Birds eat insects, seeds and nuts.

"Rats love cooked food and bread. They only want to live like we do so they will congregate where food is easily accessible."

Mr Rauf said: “Rats are clever creatures and will adjust to whatever foods are available to them.

"No doubt living alongside humans is of ease for them. I’m sure the Council’s pest control are working hard to keep rat populations down, but its the fact that children and families utilise these fantastic green spaces that makes it necessary to try and control rat populations.

"It’s shocking to see how bold these vermin have become to venture out like this during the day - as can be seen in the photos.

"I think there is a bigger problem in Bradford."

He questioned whether there needs to be stricter control on licences for takeaways, to solve the problem of litter, or people throwing rubbish onto the streets after having a takeaway, or better engagement wiht business if their rubbish ends up on the streets.

He added: "Whilst we have many socially responsible citizens, there are still people who need a stronger message, perhaps a direct talking to to stop them throwing food out to so called feed birds and ducks - that ends up feeding rats in parks or around some of the fast food areas."

After the footage and images were shared on the T&A website and social media pages, many people commented to say they had experienced similar situations. 

Jolene Segrave said she had seen rats running through the Emsley (Alfred) Memorial Recreation Ground at Mayo Avenue, while Charlotte Sheffield said she had also seen rats running around in Lister Park, slamming it as “absolutely disgusting”. 

Diane Thorpe wrote on the T&A Facebook page: “The vermin are the humans who leave their food rubbish wherever they have eaten it, the retailers who do not dispose of their food stuffs appropriately and those who throw litter out of their cars. 

“These vermin enable the other vermin (ie the rats) to thrive and multiply.

“Your litter, your responsibility...not even the Council’s until placed in their bins.

“If the bins are full, take your litter home with you. It’s called being a civilised society.”

Jacky Sharpe said that around Hall Ings, Norfolk Gardens and Bridge Street in the city centre, the rats “just walk out the bushes in front of people in broad daylight”. 

And Gillian Wade added: “They are all over the place, we recently went to Ilkley and one was casually walking down the footpath, you are never too far away from a rat.”

A spokesperson for Bradford Council said: “If residents have concerns about rats they can report them to the Council either online at www.bradford.gov.uk or telephone by calling 01274 431000.

“We would strongly advise people not to scatter food for birds as it also attracts vermin to the location.”