The Ratman of Southend

The site of the alleged Ratman hauntings in Southend-on-Sea, England.

The Ratman of Southend is an English urban legend originating in Southend-on-Sea, Essex.^[1] The story of the Ratman tells of an old homeless man, who while seeking shelter from the cold in an underpass, was set upon by a group of youths and beaten to near-death. The cold and blood loss finished his life. As he died, the numerous vermin who inhabit the area gathered, and were found to have devoured his face. After this, a ghostly figure was spotted in the underpass, with people hearing ratlike squealing, and scraping, as if large claws were moving across the walls.^[2]

In popular culture

A short film about the Ratman of Southend, directed by Michael Holiday, was entered in 2019 during the annual Horror-on-Sea film festival in Southend.^[3]

In 2020, Afterlight Comics published Folktales of the Cryptids Vol. 2.^[4] An anthology revolving around different folkloric creatures, in which the Ratman is included.

References

1. Gordon, Dee (1 January 2012). Haunted Southend. The History Press. ASIN 075246082X.
2. McAlpine, Fraser (24 June 2014). "Stuff Brits Like: A Guide to What's Great about Great Britain". Nicholas Brealey Publishing. Retrieved 5 June 2017 – via Amazon.
3. "Blazing Minds interview with film director Michael Holiday". 9 December 2018. Retrieved 9 December 2018.
4. "FolkTales Of The Cryptids Vol. 2". Archived from the original on 2022-06-16. Retrieved 2021-05-21.

External links

• from Mysterious Britain
• Article discussing the Ratman story among other folkloric English characters
• A list of Southend's most haunted locations^{[permanent dead link‍]}
• BBC America article

51.5412°N 0.7110°E / 51.5412; 0.7110