51�Թ�

The matter was even raised in parliament in March, with Wendy Morton, Conservative MP for nearby Alridge-Brownhills, saying the "squeaky blinders" were not welcome in her constituency.

"The rats, the squeaky blinders, do continue to roam freely in the streets of Britain's second city," she said.

“I just think that we’re as good as anyone in baseball at putting the blinders on and getting better each day, with respect to expectations,” Roberts said.

“I just think that we’re as good as anyone in baseball at putting the blinders on and getting better each day, with respect to expectations,” Roberts said.

This language was echoed by local Labour MP Preet Gill, who said she feared a "public health emergency", while Tory MP Wendy Morton said "squeaky blinders rats" could invade her nearby constituency.