The Ratman of Southend

Short description: English urban legend

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, seeking shelter from the cold in an underpass, was set upon by a group of youths and beaten to near-death, cold and blood loss doing the rest. 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. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Stuff-Brits-Like-Guide-Britain-ebook/dp/B01HPVH8II/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1468704408&sr=1-1&keywords=stuff+brits+like. Retrieved 5 June 2017.
3. ↑ "Blazing Minds interview with film director Michael Holiday". 9 December 2018. https://blazingminds.co.uk/horror-on-sea-interview-director-michael-holiday/. Retrieved 9 December 2018.
4. ↑ "FolkTales Of The Cryptids Vol. 2". https://www.afterlightcomics.com/comics/folktales-of-the-cryptids-vol-2.

## External links

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

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