Richmond Tavern fined for rodent infestation

A Liverpool pub has been hit with a bill for almost £30,000 for food safety breaches. Environmental Health officers visited Richmond Tavern on Church Road in Wavertree in January 2024 following a complaint, and found evidence of an infestation of mice and droppings. It was ordered to close and given a zero star food hygiene rating.

During the inspection, the Council found evidence of inadequate pest control whilst the business continued to serve customers.

There were mouse droppings throughout the kitchen and dining areas, including:- on work surfaces and shelving, on cleaning equipment and cloths, and on a chopping board. There were gaps and holes in the premises which provided rodents with access into the premises.

The court heard that conditions were so unhygienic that the pub/restaurant was immediately shut down because they presented an imminent risk to health.

Mice and rats are known carriers of salmonella and listeria which can cause serious illness, especially to vulnerable people such as:- children, the elderly, immunocompromised and those who are pregnant.

There was also a lack of regular cleaning behind cooking equipment resulting in a build of dirt, debris and grease, inaccurate records and a failure to follow pest control advice.

During the closure period a total of 20 mice were caught by the business, which confirmed there was a high level of rodent activity in the premises.

After the premises carried out remedial works, environmental health officers revisited and agreed that the pub/restaurant could reopen.

It was subsequently awarded a 5 star hygiene rating following a further inspection in July 2024.

At Sefton Magistrates Court on:- Thursday, 25 September 2025, pub operators Mitchells and Butler Leisure Retail Ltd were fined £22,000 with costs of £7,702.35 after pleading guilty to a breach of food safety and hygiene regulations.

Liverpool City Council's Environmental Health service operates the national Food Hygiene Rating Scheme. The public can check the food hygiene rating of most food business in Liverpool by visiting:- Food.Gov.UK.

Councillor Laura Robertson-Collins, Cabinet Member for Environmental Health, said:- "This case highlights the vital work of our Environmental Health team in keeping the public safe from falling ill due to poor hygiene in food establishments. People rightly expect that food they are having cooked for them and are paying for is safe from diseases such as:- salmonella and listeria. I am pleased that in this case the court has recognised the seriousness of the case, which will act as a deterrent for other businesses. It is also good to see that the premises did eventually take the matter seriously, resulting in a much improved rating when they were reinspected."

Is a 'Cyber Crisis' leaving the UK's public feeling unsafe online?

BRITS are losing faith in online safety and data protection, as the UK's cybercrime surge continues, new research shows. 1 in 3 adults state they have witnessed more levels of hacking this year than any other year. Official data from the 2025 Cyber Security Breaches Survey suggests incidents are now happening at around 1 hacking incident per minute.

The warning issued by the Institution of Engineering and Technology to kickstart Cyber Security Awareness Month, follows a spate of high profile breaches at:- Heathrow airport, Jaguar Land Rover, Marks & Spencer and Co-op. The IET says these attacks are symptomatic of a wider crisis now encroaching into people's daily lives.

The scale of the threat is clear with 14% UK adults, rising to 20% among those aged:- 25 to 34, already falling victim to cybercrime. 56% admit they are fearful of being hacked in the future, while 74% believe hackers are becoming more inventive; with 67% saying they are now harder to detect. Yet despite these fears, 20% still dismiss the risks as:- "overexaggerated," even as criminals infiltrate our daily communications. 18% say they have received daily fraudulent messages via:- Facebook, 17% on WhatsApp, 14% by text and 12% on Instagram.

Even after being targeted, many fail to take action. While half of those hacked now monitor their accounts more closely:- 1 in 8 admit they have not changed their behaviour at all. Among:- 16 to 24 year olds, only 27% report increased vigilance.

When alerted that their password may have been compromised:- 22% either delete warning messages or only act if the message comes from a trusted source; with the IET warning that it takes just 1 successful attack to bring down an entire organisation or commit fraud with your personal details.

The question of responsibility is pressing, with:- 7 in 10 people believing businesses need to do more to safeguard personal data, while 2% say Government should prioritise cyber security and invest in public awareness campaigns. Yet confidence is low with only:- 24% of us thinking our data is secure, and more than a quarter suspect companies of selling information without consent; meaning that as trust erodes many now actively avoid sharing personal data, convinced of its financial value.

Dr Junade Ali, cyber security and digital forensics expert and Fellow at the IET said:- "Cybersecurity remains a key threat to our critical national infrastructure and to our own lives. These findings show that while awareness of cyber threats is growing, there's still a gap in confidence and preparedness. We must continue to educate and empower the public to take control of their digital safety. By following best practice, and staying alert, we can all help secure ourselves and society at large."

Tony Neate, CEO at Get Safe Online said:- "Most of us use the internet more than ever, and in fact there doesn't seem to be much that we can't do online. But because of the scams, disrespectful behaviour and inappropriate content that have unfortunately become so commonplace, it's essential that we all look after ourselves, our families, finances, devices and workplace as best we can. Three simple basic tips to remember; always install your software updates, use passwords that are unique and not connected to your personal life and if something seems too good to be true it probably is. If you want to check out lots more advice, check out our Back-to-Basics tips at:- GetSafeOnline.Com."

Attacks come through multiple routes with the research showing that almost a third of victims are targeted through hacked email, social media or banking accounts, while a quarter were tricked into sending money or personal details through romance scams or fake investments. Others were hit by:- phishing texts, malware apps or infected devices. These findings highlight the diverse and evolving tactics used by cybercriminals to exploit individuals online.

Jayne Black, Policy Manager for the IET's Digital Futures Policy Centre said:- "The rise of cybercrime is certainly worrying, but there are a lot of things that can be done to protect yourself or your business from attack. Greater awareness will lead to greater vigilance when the digital future, though bright, is open to vulnerabilities such as:- this."

Anni Feng, Chair of the IET's Digital Futures Policy Centre said:- "The research highlights the growing range of tactics used by cybercriminals, which are becoming increasingly difficult for people to detect. For some of these tactics, the first step might not even take place online. QR codes, for example, have become part of everyday life; used at GP practices for check-in, in museums to provide visitor information, and at conferences to join live polls. Because they appear in trusted environments and serve legitimate purposes, we might not always pause before scanning and clicking on the link. As a community of engineers and technologists, we have the responsibility to firstly stay informed and engaged:- with the topic of cyber security, and secondly design systems/infrastructure with this in mind to support users making safe choices and enable cyber resilience."

Dr Graham Herries, Chair of the IET's Policy Oversight Committee said:- "Cyber threats are evolving faster than ever, and the UK's recent breaches are a stark reminder that our digital defences are only as strong as the people behind them. To close the capability gap, we must inspire and equip the next generation of tech talent; especially in cyber security, automation, and engineering; before the risks outpace our readiness."

Annabel Ohene, IET member and Cyber Security and Networks Engineer said:- "Adding cyber security measures into daily life may require additional effort from users when engaging with digital services, but cyber safety is increasingly important as the threat landscape continues to evolve. While companies have a responsibility to defend against malicious activity, empowering users to take ownership of their cyber security creates multiple layers of protection across entire systems."

Dawn Ohlson, President of the IET said:- "Cyber security hinges on 2 essential principles:- vigilance and resilience; and this is for everyone, from the boardroom to the living room. Always approach emails and attachments with caution. Be alert, be sceptical, and verify before you click. For Governments and industries, defending against cyber threats demands a multi layered, holistic strategy. This means sustained investment, cross-sector collaboration, and long term strategic planning; all of which is vital to staying ahead of an ever-evolving threat."

Rimesh Patel, IET member and Independent Cyber Specialist said:- "The research underscores the urgent need for enhanced cybersecurity as the UK advances toward a digital future. Successful Industry:- 4.0 integration across global sectors will depend on robust, cyber-secure foundations, with users at the heart of every digital transaction. The findings highlight the critical need for greater security awareness and the need for trust in data handling mechanisms. While vendors are beginning to address emerging challenges, both public and private service providers must position users as active partners, not just passive consumers. This shift will drive the need for Digital Sovereignty, helping to spearhead the trust necessary for secure digital interactions. As the UK population starts to transition into online services that leverages A.I, the success of our digital ecosystems will depend on built in safeguards to cybersecurity and acknowledging that basic cyber awareness is now a prerequisite for modern life for all."

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