The society in London

Widowmaker

I don't know what has happened to the capital city, but there is more graffiti, hobos, binge drinkers and general all-round-rejects than ever before.

For instance, I went to the London Aquarium and had my camera pickpocketed. On the way from Waterloo station to the aquarium, I saw three homeless people, tons of graffiti scrawled on the floor and 3 people who were being questioned by the police. :mad:

Admittedly, I saw quite a few police, but they are not enough to drive crime down to tolerable levels.

Has something like this happened to anyone else?
Does anyone disagree with me when I say that the mayor of London should do more?

I live in London - I don't know what it is, but I never actually feel 'threatened' in Central London, it's more the suburbs, like Brixton, Crystal Palace and Norwood where I feel vulnerable.

Take for instance last Friday. Was up in Leicester sqaure with mates and we went to Cirque. The club shut at 3, and the square was just as busy as it was at 10pm. There were so many police around, and the fact that there's practically a CCTV camera for every 5 people, I felt pretty safe. Even on the train, at 5.30, on my own, I felt safe.

Maybe it's just because I've grown up with it so it no longer makes me feel shocked to see graffiti everywhere (dog shit bins included) and litter. Although that has got better.

I don't know what the mayor of london could do - more police, maybe, but it's more about prevention than cure I think. He's just issued a curfew for kids being in around theatreland after 9pm. Apparently the police have the power now to boot them out apparently. That'll stop 'anti social behaviour'.

It's more about being streetwise I spose. I'm sorry your camera got nicked, but was it in a pocket without a zip? or was it very visable? the best thing to do is keep things out the way, and if you have to wear a backpack, just slip a padlock on the zips when you're out in crowded places.

Reply 3

hornblower

6

red665

It's more about being streetwise I spose.

Yes, that's very important. No joke.

Reply 4

red665

Take for instance last Friday. Was up in Leicester sqaure with mates and we went to Cirque. The club shut at 3, and the square was just as busy as it was at 10pm. There were so many police around, and the fact that there's practically a CCTV camera for every 5 people, I felt pretty safe. Even on the train, at 5.30, on my own, I felt safe.

Last Friday at 3am I'm in the main part of Leicester Square, outside Equinox/Empire. There's no policemen, two huge fights taking place and a bit of pill popping. 50 yards away there's 3 policemen spending their time reducing a homeless person to tears for illegally busking.

Reply 5

Nik P

Jools

Last Friday at 3am I'm in the main part of Leicester Square, outside Equinox/Empire. There's no policemen, two huge fights taking place and a bit of pill popping. 50 yards away there's 3 policemen spending their time reducing a homeless person to tears for illegally busking.

Was it a good fight... nothing like watching a good scuff. I bet one of them was a herb, you know... when you really don't wanna scrap, but act like you wanna when the bouncer holds you back...

Reply 6

mobbdeeprob

hornblower

Yes, that's very important. No joke.

I was about to quote that very phrase.

There are sketchy parts in every city, you have to deal with it - or risk the consequences.

Reply 7

Jools

Last Friday at 3am I'm in the main part of Leicester Square, outside Equinox/Empire. There's no policemen, two huge fights taking place and a bit of pill popping. 50 yards away there's 3 policemen spending their time reducing a homeless person to tears for illegally busking.

Did you hear the motorbike revving it's engine or something? that really got on my nerves after the first 5 times.

I didn't see any trouble, how weird! then again, I was sitting on the floor near the odeon eating pizza.

Reply 8

Zapsta

To be fair, the aquarium really does attract the troublemakers.

Reply 9

mobbdeeprob

I think that somebody who flashes their phone on the top of a bus (and isn't prepared to defend themselves) fully deserves to be robbed.

The amount of times I've seen that happen is ridiculous.

Reply 10

red665

I didn't see any trouble, how weird! then again, I was sitting on the floor near the odeon eating pizza.

That Pizza Hut takeaway stall must be making a killing.

Reply 11

Zapsta

To be fair, the aquarium really does attract the troublemakers.

Haha, see I thought it'd be further down the road near the London Eye, where all the skaters hang around. Oh, then again, there's that arcade near the aquarium isn't there? <<<<chav city>>>>

Reply 12

jpowell

15

Jools

Last Friday at 3am I'm in the main part of Leicester Square, outside Equinox/Empire. There's no policemen, two huge fights taking place and a bit of pill popping. 50 yards away there's 3 policemen spending their time reducing a homeless person to tears for illegally busking.

Honestly what do you expect from Leicester Square, it is hardly renowned as a haven of tranquility :biggrin:

. Anyway it is easier to keep all the trouble in one place, and LS has lots of room for the water cannons :biggrin:

.

Reply 13

Jools

That Pizza Hut takeaway stall must be making a killing.

The queue to get to the front was massive - that guy must be rolling in it. "Not literally of course, that would be hideous".

Yummy pizza though, delish when you're pissed and need something to soak it up lol. (Unlike that *manky* noodles bar round the corner... oh, how rank!)

Reply 14

Trying to get on guestlist for Tantra/Chinawhites/Nell's over the next weekends. This'll be a challenge...

Reply 15

mobbdeeprob

I think that somebody who flashes their phone on the top of a bus (and isn't prepared to defend themselves) fully deserves to be robbed.

The amount of times I've seen that happen is ridiculous.

Sadly, that is true.

The girl who showed me round uni told me she was mugged the day before. When I asked her what happened, she replied "well, I was on the last tube home, and just as I was going up the escalator I started getting signal on my phone...." I put the rest together without her saying another word.

Reply 16

mobbdeeprob

My favourite DJs (Patife & Marky) are resident DJs at one place in London, can't remember where though. I'd love to go to a set.

Does anybody know where?

Reply 17

Jools

Trying to get on guestlist for Tantra/Chinawhites/Nell's over the next weekends. This'll be a challenge...

Hehe - we got into Cirque for free 'cause some guy stamped our hand. I'm sure you could easilly get on the guestlist so long as you found the guy in the square who's handing out the leaflets and is desperate to bump up his commission lol.

Made me laugh how in cirque you walk through a metal detector, they search your bags and then ask... "do you have any chewing gum in your possesion?"

Reply 18

mobbdeeprob

My favourite DJs (Patife & Marky) are resident DJs at one place in London, can't remember where though. I'd love to go to a set.

Does anybody know where?

Sorry - never heard of em!

Reply 19