I READ with great sadness your story about Labour councillor James Powney and Brent's rat problems (Dramatic rise in population of rats raises health fears, Wembley Observer, July 1).
I was concerned to hear that Brent's Labour council is trying to blame local people for the problem and urging people to use wheelie bins properly, while at the same time they are considering moving to fortnightly collections, which may make the problem worse.
This is especially worrying as the areas highlighted by the council as the worst-affected - Wembley Central, Harlesden, Willesden and Kilburn - are all major shopping areas and contain many flats above shops which do not have access to wheelie bins - and never have.
It is not for me to give advice to Brent's Labour town hall bosses, but perhaps rather than posing for photographs and trying to blame people who live and work in Brent for problems, they should consider what the council can do to help.
I hope that Labour will not be considering charging for the free rat catching service provided when the Liberal Democrats ran Brent Council.
COUNCILLOR ANN HUNTER Liberal Democrat councillor for Willesden
