Watch: Rat scurries around Glasgow park as locals hit out at 'daily sightings'

Tormented locals in the Southside have told how they are now avoiding Maxwell Park due to the infestation issues. 

Footage shared with the Glasgow Times shows a rodent scurrying around the pond in an area that is close to members of the public.

The alarming footage was captured yesterday afternoon by a Pollokshaws resident. 

Kim Schmulian said: "As someone who walks in the park most days I can say that rats are now almost a daily sighting and speaking to local dog walkers, they tell me the same. 

"Houses might be selling fast in Pollokshields but these rodents are one set of neighbours that young families moving to the area will not have bargained on.

"The problem has definitely gotten worse in the last few years, I suspect as a result of bin collection cuts and the council's bulk uplift charge."

Another local added: "We started to see them when we went out for walks with the children so we stopped going to the park.

"It's concerning, you have no idea what diseases they could be carrying. I wouldn't have my children running around in the park because of it."

Meanwhile, Tory Group leader, Thomas Kerr, called for an urgent clean-up of the park in an effort to rid the area of the vermin. 

He said: "Incidents like these in Pollokshields are not isolated cases, they are widespread across the city. We deserve urgent action to clean up the mess the SNP have created in our neighbourhoods."

Rats spotted in Alexandra Park last month

Last month, we shared footage of a large pack of rats weaving their way around Alexandra Park in the East End. 

Around half a dozen of the disease-bearing rodents were captured scurrying around close to the pond - just yards away from a children's play area. 

Glasgow City Council has urged members of the public to put litter in bins in an effort to eradicate the infestation at Maxwell Park.

A spokesperson said: “We are aware of an issue with rats in Maxwell Park and have pest control measures in place within the park.  Using pest control treatments in public spaces can be challenging as the baits clearly pose a risk to wildlife as well as household pets and therefore need to be deployed appropriately and carefully.

“Unfortunately rats are drawn to food sources and will go wherever there is food.  We urge visitors to limit as far as possible the amount of food they leave behind.  There are large capacity bins in place in Maxwell Park and urge visitors to make use of these when visiting the park.”