BRISTOL City Council is thinking of cutting the number of rat catchers in the city – at a time when the rat population shows a long-term trend of going up.

Council officials are looking at reducing the number of pest control officers because of public spending cuts.

The move has angered the GMB union, which is not only worried about job losses but the health hazard if the frontline service is hit.

One of the options is to cut the pest control team by up to eight – a cut of nearly 50 per cent – and put the service out to private contract.

Official figures show a reduction during the past two years in the number of rat infestations – but this is mostly due to colder winters.

In 2005-06, the number of rat infestations was 3,193 but this compares with 4,534 last year – an increase of nearly 50 per cent.

In 2006-07, the figure was 3,817, while in 2007-08, it was 4,924 and in 2008-09, 4,778.

Rowena Hayward, a GMB regional official, said: "A decrease in the frontline service would result in the city's sewer baiting programme being discontinued, and longer waiting times for rodent treatment which at present is four weeks in some of the city areas.

"The charge for rats in domestic premises is free with friendly customer care advice at the forefront of the service. The team also carries out many other pest- wrelated duties including controlling a large gull population.

"Reducing our pest control officer team by up to eight will only worsen this health hazard across the city.

"If the service is cut and put into private hands then everyone will have to pay substantial charges and not receive such a caring efficient frontline service." The pest control team includes a manager, an assistant manager, a senior pest control officer; 14 pest control officers and 1.6 admin posts.

The reasons for a rise in rat infestations includes weather conditions – by far the biggest factor – and food litter.

Jeff Lamb, of JGL Vermin and Pest Control, covers Bristol and the surrounding area. He said one reason why the council might be cutting back is the increase in DIY rat catching products that can be bought in the high street.

He said: "I do quite a lot of work in the Bristol area, a lot of restaurants, pubs and cafes.

"I would say the numbers of rats have stayed fairly static.

"A lot of companies sell bait, so more people are having a go themselves.

"But then people call me because they fail, they don't put the boxes down in the right place or don't know how to dispose of the bodies.

"I'm fully equipped and do a full site survey, where as the council might turn up and say 'where did you see the rat' and then bang, that's it. Some of these council guys do work very hard though, they might have 15 to 18 jobs in a day, which is beyond a joke."

A council spokesman said: "A number of proposals are being looked at and no decision has been taken at this stage."

It is expected that a report will be put before the ruling Lib Dem cabinet but no date for this has been fixed.