Residents of a sheltered accommodation in Everton have been living with a persistent rat and pest problem for over a year after 11 of their communal waste bins were stolen. Despite repeated complaints and an attempted resolution, a series of administrative errors has left the 29 residents of Shallcross Court with inadequate waste facilities, leading to unsanitary conditions.
Key Takeaways
- 11 purple wheelie bins were stolen from Shallcross Court in Everton in August 2024.
- This left just seven bins for the 29 residents, causing waste to overflow.
- The situation has resulted in a significant increase in rats, seagulls, and other pests.
- A large replacement bin, ordered in April 2025, was delivered to the wrong address by the council and remains missing.
Bin Theft Sparks Year-Long Crisis
The issue began in August 2024 at Shallcross Court, a sheltered housing facility managed by the Torus housing association. The property, home to 29 people including two residents over the age of 100, had its security compromised when gates were left open by workmen.
One resident, Sandra Massey, who has lived at the property for eight years, witnessed the theft. She described seeing several men with a low-loader vehicle enter the grounds on a Saturday morning and begin taking the purple bins from the communal storage area.
"I was looking out of the kitchen window when I saw these men with a low-loader coming into the grounds and start taking our purple bins," Ms. Massey recounted.
By the time she was able to get outside to intervene, the thieves had already driven away with the bins. A total of 11 bins were taken, leaving only seven to serve the entire housing block. This drastic reduction in capacity immediately led to problems with waste management for the community.
A Community Effort Undermined
Sandra Massey described Shallcross Court as a "beautiful place" that is well-maintained by its residents. She noted the lack of anti-social behaviour and the pride residents take in their communal gardens. The ongoing waste issue has undermined their efforts to keep the area clean and safe, particularly for the most vulnerable elderly residents.
Pest Infestation and Health Concerns
In the months following the theft, the lack of adequate bin storage created a severe public health issue. With waste containers constantly overflowing, the area became a magnet for vermin.
Residents have reported a significant increase in pests, which now plague the previously well-kept grounds. The problem has persisted for more than 14 months, causing considerable distress.
"We are overrun with rats, seagulls and even squirrels," Ms. Massey explained. "We have worked hard to try and keep this place tidy but when the bins are always overflowing it is impossible. It is a real health and safety issue."
The tenants, who pay service charges for the upkeep of the property, feel the situation is unacceptable and has been allowed to continue for far too long. The persistent presence of pests and overflowing rubbish poses a direct risk to the health and wellbeing of the residents.
Waste Capacity Halved
The theft of 11 bins reduced the community's waste disposal capacity by more than 60%. With only seven bins remaining for 29 households, overflow became an immediate and unavoidable problem, directly contributing to the pest infestation.
Administrative Failures Delay Solution
The initial response to the theft was met with financial obstacles. According to Ms. Massey, Torus reported that Liverpool Council quoted a replacement cost of £75 per bin, a sum the housing association stated it could not afford at the time.
After months of negotiation, a compromise was reached. In April 2025, Torus agreed to purchase a single, large-capacity Euro Bin to compensate for the stolen containers. However, this solution also failed to materialise.
Ms. Massey explained the next frustrating development in the saga. "We got to July and found out that the council had delivered the bin somewhere else, unbeknownst to anyone. We still don't know where it is," she said.
Despite assurances that a replacement for the misdelivered bin would be organised, it is now October 2025, and the residents of Shallcross Court are still waiting. "We have contacted them so many times and we are just not getting anywhere," she added.
Official Response to the Ongoing Issue
Both Liverpool City Council and Torus have been involved in the attempts to resolve the situation at Shallcross Court. The delays and errors have left residents feeling ignored and their living conditions compromised.
In response to inquiries, a spokesperson for Liverpool City Council acknowledged the difficulties faced by the residents and stated that efforts are being made to find a solution.
“We understand that this has been a frustrating experience for the residents at Shallcross Court. We are working with Torus to resolve the situation.”
Torus, the housing association responsible for managing the property, was also contacted for a comment on the matter. The residents remain hopeful that the collaborative efforts mentioned by the council will finally lead to the delivery of adequate waste facilities and an end to their year-long ordeal.