Rats have always been a problem in Oxford.

But now the city council is charging residents to rid their homes of infestations to raise much-needed cash, it must keep a very close eye on the situation.

Call-outs have dropped over the past five years.

But the dip since the charge was introduced is much larger than the year before.

The council has to balance the books but if it starts to impact on public health, then it must think again.