Rats

Hi Gill and welcome to the forum ... I would immediately stop ground feeding and use a pole feeder, bring the feeders in at night and clear up any spillage ... there are also plants that can be used to deter rats, if you google 'plants to deter rats' you will get many options to choose from!  Best to take action before rat problem increases, I had to stop feeding wild birds and animals in the end!  You could always bait live or dead traps but be careful if you also have hedgehogs!