Bedbugs: Ealing Library shuts after insects found

Ealing Council said Ealing Central Library had to close on Monday after the insects were found in furnishings

A west London library has closed temporarily after bedbugs were found.

Ealing Council said Ealing Central Library closed on Monday after the insects were discovered in the furnishings.

The council said although it was deemed safe for the public, it closed due to concerns from staff and library users.

A spokesperson for the authority said it planned to reopen the library on Thursday, once measures had been taken to get rid of the insects.

It comes after widespread panic of bedbugs infesting London after a widely-reported outbreak in Paris.

In Paris, the insects were reported in schools, trains, hospitals and cinemas.

Last month, London mayor Sadiq Khan reassured Londoners that everything was being done to prevent an outbreak, including disinfecting the Tube train furnishings daily.

• How to get rid of bedbugs and are they in the UK?

A council spokesperson said: "The technical advice was that it was safe for both the public and staff to reopen the library - both in terms of controlling and preventing the spread of the infestation and in relation to the chemicals used to treat furniture.

"However, the council recognised that library users and staff had concerns and decided that temporarily closing the library was the right course of action."

The council said the library would reopen once a "full course of treatment" had been applied by its contractors.

The chemicals used were safe for people of all ages, the authority added.

"The council will continue to monitor the situation and take preventative measures to ensure that the issue has been fully resolved, and that everything is being done to prevent its recurrence," the spokesperson said.