A rat was filmed jumping up from behind a man’s leg in Chamberlain Square
A rat in Birmingham city centre (picture taken in 2023)(Image: Nick Wilkinson/Birmingham Live)
A large rat sparked sudden panic when it was filmed darting through Birmingham city centre as the city’s long-running bin strike rumbled on.
Footage shared online showed the rodent leap from behind a man’s leg as he relaxed on the steps in Chamberlain Square.
The panic was evident on his face as he shot up and tried to kick the rodent away.
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Probably equally as startled, the rat narrowly avoided being captured in a gull’s beak as it scurried away up the steps and into a bush.
The video of the great escape, which you can see below, was accompanied with the Mission Impossible theme tune playing over the top.
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It was shared to Instagram page ‘Brum Life’ with the caption ‘meanwhile in Birmingham‘.
Some found humour in the encounter but others slammed Birmingham City Council for failing to break the bin strike deadlock.
User a3ads commented below the post: “Thank you city council. You have now created a rat problem.”
Another said: “This is what happens when you don’t collect bins on time.”
Calaena Aelin however focused on how the rat looked “sweet”.
She said: “Rats are so cute when they hop like that.
“They’re actually such sweet creatures. Very playful like a kitten.”
A fourth said: “For crying out loud, they too are part of nature. It’s not their fault.”
Agreeing, Michelle Slater added: “I don’t like them but they’re just part of urban life.”
Talks to end Birmingham’s bin strike are expected to resume next week when council chiefs and Unite, the union representing striking refuse workers, return to the negotiation table.