Residents of Eastwood in Rotherham say they are exhausted by recurring fly‑tipping, anti‑social behaviour and a growing rodent problem that they claim has gone on for more than a decade. Local people have formed a community group to document incidents and say official responses have fallen short.
Longstanding problems and community action
Members of a Facebook group called How clean is Eastwood post daily about rubbish left on streets, according to local accounts. Two residents spoken to described large household items — beds, mattresses and old televisions — being dumped outside houses, and said that some of the waste comes from outside the area.
“What a mess we’re living in, 15 years and counting and it’s still not sorted,”
said one resident, reflecting a frustration echoed across the community. Another said the streets are frequently used by groups drinking and playing loud music into the early hours, and that drug taking in public places is common.
Enforcement and council response
Rotherham Council introduced a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) in 2019 aimed at tackling anti‑social behaviour; it was renewed in 2022 and is in force until 2028. Despite the PSPO and its potential penalties, residents report that fly‑tipping continues unabated and that they rarely see enforcement action on the ground.
| Measure | Year introduced | Current status |
|---|---|---|
| Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) | 2019 | Renewed 2022; in force until 2028 |
Public health and safety concerns
Residents also described seeing dead rodents and reported that rats are visible in daylight. One local said:
“Eastwood is plagued with rats. They’re not afraid to come out in the day either.”
They told reporters they have emailed the council repeatedly but feel little has changed, and that limited council resources mean offenders are rarely caught. In response, community volunteers have begun patrolling the area in an effort to catch people in the act of dumping waste.
Impact on feeling of safety
People who live in the area said the visible anti‑social behaviour — groups gathering on street corners or in parks, drinking from open bottles and playing loud music — makes some residents feel intimidated and less safe in their neighbourhood. One resident described the experience succinctly: “It’s intimidating for everybody. Not everybody feels safe around…”
- Community reporting: Local Facebook group logging daily incidents.
- Enforcement tool: PSPO active until 2028 but reportedly under‑enforced.
- Health worry: Rodent carcasses and daytime rat sightings.
The concerns raised underline tensions between residents seeking cleaner, safer streets and the capacity of public services to respond. Local councillors and council officers are the appropriate contacts for information about enforcement activity, clearance schedules and public health interventions. For urgent incidents or criminal activity, police should be contacted through their normal reporting channels.
