A south London pizza takeaway has been closed by Merton Council following a hearing by Wimbledon magistrates this month.

Pizza Roma, 15 Abbotsbury Road, in Morden, after Environmental Health Officers discovered an infestation of German cockroaches and rat droppings during a routine visit earlier this month.

The conditions found posed an imminent risk to public health and a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice was served closing the premises with immediate effect.

Councillor Eleanor Stringer, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Civic Pride, said: “The state of the pizza parlour our officers found it in is nothing short of scandalous. Our residents quite rightly expect the highest standards of hygiene from restaurants and eateries, and I can assure them Merton Council will continue to act swiftly to protect public health.”

Officers said cockroaches from nymphs to adult cockroaches were found in numerous places in the kitchen including inside of the refrigerator in the food preparation area. Dead cockroaches were found on food paper used for wrapping burgers, inside takeaway food containers and next to pizza boxes while rat droppings were found on the floor of the staff toilet.