Mouse nest found on policeman's filthy desk

Exterminators called in to deal with an infestation at a police station found a mouse nest on a messy desk.

Daily Telegraph 

Published: 9:21AM GMT 05 Jan 2010

Mice made a home on one policeman's messy desk Photo: GETTY

Pest controllers were called to an office in Kennington, south London, used by weapons and technology experts at the Metropolitan Police after reports of 'mice everywhere'.

According to internal police reports, a family of mice even set up home in one police worker's desk - burying themselves in his paperwork.

The report reminds workers of 'the Met's clear desk policy' - meaning everything on your desk must be filed away by the end of each day so cleaners can do their jobs.

It states: "Employees came across a number of mice at a police building.

"Action was taken to remove the mice from the premises and there have not been any sighting of mice since."

A spokeswoman for the Met said that the 'paperwork home' set up on one desk by mice consisted of 'paperwork that did not relate to operational police matters'.

"Some of the desks were so messy it was a wonder anyone could find anything," said one officer.

"It got to the stage where mice droppings were found on desks and that's when everyone thought 'it's time to do something about our desks'.

"That's when one guy found a mouse nest in his paperwork. It's fair to say he was a little embarrassed."

Lambeth cops spend more than $25,000 on vermin exterminators last year, including $4,299 to get rid of 'unwanted birds' and $12,018 on 'rodent or mammal extermination'.

The sum also included $108 for 'getting rid of geese', although a police spokesman could not shed any further light on this particular expense.