As an old veteran, I have lived through some bad times, like world wars and such, but the worst experiences I have ever suffered are now.

I have lived in a Barnet Homes bungalow for elderly folk for 14 years. About three years ago, new neighbours moved in next door and from then I became concerned about rubbish and junk being regularly dumped in their back garden. By last autumn there had accumulated at least a ton of it.

I conveyed my concerns to Barnet Borough Council, but very little interest was shown.

Then came the inevitable infestation of rats and vermin on a large scale and in spite of calls from others and myself no real action was taken.

One evening on hearing a noise in my kitchen, I found rats on my worktop and in my sitting room. In terror, I managed to kill some of them by kicking them and by swatting with a heavy book, but as I have a heart condition, I passed out. I was taken to Barnet Hospital heart unit.

Knowing this, Barnet Homes were, at best, indifferent. One Barnet Homes person later called to tell me that there was no more they would do. When I told her of my sleepless nights in fear as rats ran about the loft above me, she actually seemed amused and laughed. How can this be allowed to happen?

I can’t go anywhere, I have no one – no family.

Is this Barnet Council’s current policy towards the elderly?

John Catchpole

Layfield Close, Hendon