Hertsmere Borough Council will be taking steps to tackle the problem of rats in Oakmere Park in Potters Bar. The news came following a letter from Oliver to the Borough Council calling for action on behalf of his constituents.

In a response from the Parks & Amenities Department last month, the Borough Council stated they would now be ‘attempting to smoke out the rats from their nests’ and requesting that visitors refrain from feeding other animals in the park as this food often ends up in the hands of the rats.

Should these steps not succeed, the Council have pledged to use further smoking, night-time shooting and chemical controls.

In response Oliver said: ‘I am pleased that the Borough Council is taking serious action to deal with this problem on behalf of my constituents.

‘I hope these measures have the desired results, but I will also be tabling a number of Parliamentary Questions in the coming weeks asking what the Government can do to ensure that local councils have the right tools at their disposal to deal with these pest problems.’