Dozens of rats swarm London street after crawling out of bins in horrifying video

The clip was shared on social media platform TikTok and viewed thousands of times.

Rats were recorded fighting over a discarded takeaway box but were unbothered by passers-by and nearby cars.

Around half a dozen rodents were spotted scurrying around but as the camera zoomed out the number rapidly increased.

Rats have proved problematic in Tower Hamlets during the last few months.

A nine-day bin strike in September 2023 attracted rodents as rubbish and waste piled up.

Another video from May 2022 showed a mound of rats leaping on top of each other in an attempt to escape a bin in the East London borough.

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Susan Hall, who is now challenging Sadiq Khan for control of City Hall, voiced her concern about the situation as far back as 2017.

She revealed Tower Hamlets had the highest number of complaints at the time, with 30,000 recorded.

Hall said: “London's rodent population is on the rise and, as the city continues to grow and its density increases, that trend could well continue.

“The Mayor of London and local authorities across the capital have a responsibility to ensure the prevalence of rats and mice in the city does not get out of control.”

There are concerns local authorities could look to cut pest control services in a bid to deal with financial problems.

Nottingham City Council, which filed a Section 114 notice, even mooted axing the services altogether.

However, Tower Hamlets Council confirmed it can provide the service free of charge for rats.

Tower Hamlets Council’s website also clarified the removal of other pests will cost £213.60, including for bed bugs.