Downham Market mother slams Sanctuary housing association for major rat infestation

A young mother has been left petrified by a rat infestation at her home - and has slammed her housing association for failing to take action.

Clara Gray first spotted the rodents in her back garden, but yesterday she discovered one lying dead behind her freezer.

The 24-year-old lives with her two children in Downham. Their young age - she has a five-year-old girl and a four-month-old baby boy - means she has been left fearing for their health.

And Clara, who herself has developed a rash since the ordeal began, believes Sanctuary housing association is at fault due to its lack of urgency.

However, a spokesperson for the association said it is “committed to supporting this family”.

Clara told the Lynn News that the problems began when a next door neighbour at her James Scott Close home was evicted, leaving a large number of full bin bags in their back garden behind them.

She believes there are up to 50 of them - and claims this is what started the rat infestation. The problem has now gone on for a month.

“I am getting absolutely nowhere,” Clara said.

“The rats are breeding like there is no tomorrow.

“My little girl is five years old. She loves her garden - her toys are out there. She can’t understand why she can’t go and play in her garden.

“If one of the rats gets in my house and jumps up on my baby, he is not going to know to push it off.”

Clara shared images which show bin bags, rubbish and bedding littered throughout her neighbour’s garden.

She also showed the Lynn News photographs and videos of rats clambering in and out of the items and walking around the perimeter of her garden.

And yesterday, she found one of the rodents dead behind her fridge.

A spokesperson for Sanctuary said: “We are committed to supporting this family and the area manager spoke to our tenant on Tuesday, September 24 to listen to her concerns and offer reassurance.

“We can confirm that an emergency appointment was immediately booked for a specialist control contractor to attend this property within 24 hours and we will also be ensuring the waste items left in the neighbouring garden are removed as a matter of urgency.”

But Clara said previous conversations with the housing association led her nowhere - and that she has now been in touch with environmental health services.

“I am literally at a loss now,” she added.

“I have been told it is not suitable for my children to live here. This is going to be a problem for months and months and months.”

Got a story? Email kris.johnston@iliffemedia.co.uk