New data has revealed that Britain is experiencing a significant rat problem, with more than half a million infestations reported in the past two years.

Analysis of Freedom of Information data by Drain Detectives showed there were 518,240 reports to councils of rat infestations across the country between 2023 and 2025, with just under 23% of that figure concentrated in London alone.

The analysis lacks data from previous years for comparison, but it does reveal the extent of the issue and comes among reports of sightings of abnormally large rats, including a 22-inch specimen reportedly captured in Normanby, North Yorkshire, thought to be the biggest spotted in the UK.

But what exactly is leading to Britain's giant rat problem?

Why is there an increase in giant rats?

The rodents thriv

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