Matthew visited residents on the West Hendon Estate to see for himself the problems being experience by an infestation of rodents. The problem has become so acute that some residents have been forced to move out of their homes. 

Located by the West Harp open space means there is always likely to be an accumulation of rodents living nearby. But the prolonged period of wet weather the UK has experienced is likely to be the cause of this infestation as rodents seek warmer habitations. After a colony enters a property and finds it to be safe and warm they rarely venture outside again.

Matthew said: "While home owners should take all reasonable precautions - such as closing doors and windows, storing food in air tight containers, and disposing of food waste as soon as possible - there are some other preventative measures outside their control. Mice enter properties through a variety of ways and many of these are likely to be in communal areas where residents are neither permitted nor able to take the necessary precautions to prevent infestations.

I believe this infestation is a health risk, particularly for children and the elderly, and I have asked Barnet Council to work with Barnet Homes to deal with the problem as a matter of urgency. It is not acceptable that residents of West Hendon are having to live in such circumstances."

Photo: Residents presented with Matthew with a petition calling on Barnet Homes to take action to rid them of "this plague"