After a visit yesterday, my partner says that the rat population at Bell Green retail park is booming - particularly in the Sainsbury's car park, but they must be all around those parts.

Have you contacted Environmental heath /Pest control at Bromley and Lewisham Councils to inform them of the issues?

Yes, I reported it via Fixmystreet. It comes under Lewisham.

Update. Reported via Fixmystreet. Sainsbury's have been in touch (very promptly). Feedback via Fixmystreet:

“Sainsbury have replied.The Rentokil pest contactors have confirmed the main reason for the rats is the residents putting down food and water for the birds. We don’t have any pest activity within the store or the surrounding car park, but the problem has been raised at the base of the car park by the bus stop. Traps have been laid, but all the time the rats have a food source made readily available by the residents, they will stay away from the traps State changed to: Internal referral”

If you live round the Bell Green retain site, including Sainsbury's, or you go there from time to time, please please please don't leave food out, even if you intend it for the birds - it just feeds the rats. They won't even waste time going to investigate the delicious poison in the bait stations if people are leaving plenty of food for the birds.

thanks,

BigED

I saw an elderly lady feeding the birds in the Sainsbury's car park a few weeks ago. She was just dropping loads of bread on the floor. Can't help matters.