Panic as binmen left running from rat in West End
BINMEN had to run from a rat who appeared from inside a bin. Footage captured Glasgow City Council refuse workers screaming and laughing as they sprinted away from the creature.
It’s understood the film was taken near to Kelvinhaugh Street in the city’s West End while the crew was removing refuse from a back court yesterday.
It comes as unions claim the vermin population has increased throughout the city since lockdown measures first began last year.
Chris Mitchell, from GMB union’s branch 40, said: “We’ve been campaigning tirelessly to get more resources to try and stop this infestation, but there’s humour attached to it sometimes.
“This video of two of our workers - absolutely fantastic – when they come across a rat ... listen to their reaction, it’s absolutely priceless.
“Fair play to the guys.” Glasgow City Council previously insisted the number of rats reported has decreased this year, with figures normally dipping throughout the winter months.
Speaking last month, after a bin man was scratched by a rat while carrying out his duties, a spokesman said: “Staff are always expected to report back on any concerns about a rat infestation so pest control can look to deal with the situation.
“General cleansing staff are not then required to remove bins from areas of infestation until pest control measures have taken effect.”
He added: “We have seen no increase in reports from frontline crews about rat infestations in backcourts across the city. Compared to last year, the overall number of reports of rats sightings for January has actually gone down this year with sightings usually at their lowest during winter.
“The best way to prevent an infestation in the first place is for factors, owners and residents to keep bin areas and surrounding ground in good order, but unfortunately that has not been the case at the address where the worker was injured.”
The video can be found on the Glasgow Times website with the headline “Glasgow bin men run from rat in West End street”.