Reports of an infestation of rats are being investigated after the rodents were spotted in streets and gardens in an area of Eccleshill.

Bradford Council’s Environmental Health team is investigating to try to find the source of the infestation in the Romanby Shaw area of the village.

Some residents claimed the infestation had been caused by house-building work in the street, but the developer has strongly denied those claims.

A spokesperson for Bradford Council said: “A rat problem in the area of Romanby Shaw, Eccleshill, has been reported.

“We will investigate to try and identify the source of the infestation and if necessary advise the landowner how to deal with the infestation.”

Residents in Romanby Shaw, Rowlestone Rise and Holybrook Avenue have complained to Bradford East MP Imran Hussain about the rat problem.

They claim building work on the Romanby Shaw site, behind Eccleshill pool, has unearthed and destroyed a rats nest, causing the animals to flee to the safety of people’s gardens.

It was claimed rats have been seen in the streets “day and night”, and residents have raised fears about their children’s safety.

Mr Hussain has criticised the development company, ENGIE, for not exterminating the rodents.

However, ENGIE has said it “has not seen any evidence” the problem is as a result of its work.

ENGIE also reassured residents it will be looking into the matter urgently.

Mr Hussain met with residents to hear about the problem, and has written a letter to ENGIE’s chief executive demanding the firm accept responsibility for the infestation, and exterminate the rats.

He said: “Rats pose a huge public health risk with the number of diseases that they carry, and I fully understand the concerns of parents worried that their children could come into contact with the rodents whilst playing.

“I have written to ENGIE expressing my concerns for the safety of residents and children in particular, and I hope that they will listen and act to end the problems that they have started with their redevelopment work.”

A spokesperson for ENGIE said: “We have been made aware of an individual case by one local resident.

“However, we have not ourselves seen any evidence of a rat infestation and have not carried out any works which are likely to cause this kind of issue.

“We take resident safety and wellbeing very seriously, and we will be reaching out to local residents and looking into the issue as a matter of urgency.”