London sounds scary.

[enismirdal]

I've never known anything like it. Sure, London is dirty and ugly in places, and some corners of it have ongoing issues...but the level of insanity over there at the moment is beyond anything I'd have expected. The violence has now reached areas within 2 miles of my old house. It seems to be restricted to areas with large numbers of people from particular communities, which probably means most people I know well will escape the worst of it, but seeing the footage and the reports is frightening. The police have called in extra helicopters from Surrey and Sussex for backup. I wonder if they'll need the army as well soon.

I've got friends holidaying in Tunisia and they're currently feeling safer there than they would at their normal flat in Brixton. :(

I love London, but right now I'm rather glad to be living elsewhere.

I hope they get it under control soon...and then explore the community tensions and situations that led to things blowing up like this.

ETA: Oh bloody hell, some kids apparently got a train over here and tried kicking things off. Not very well, as far as I can ascertain - they burnt out a few cars within 5 minutes' walk of here (I did hear a couple of sirens last night but that's not totally abnormal here because I'm on a main route between the police station and the rough areas) but if it had really got going I'd have noticed.

Seriously, People of England, when the sun sets tonight, just put on the TV and watch Undercover Boss then Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares USA, make a cup of tea and go to bed. You'll find it much more satisfying in the long run.

Comments

[lauand.livejournal.com]

I was sort of flabbergasted when I watched the news, too. I wouldn't have expected that kind of violence to happen in London, to be honest. I don't know what to say.

[eawen-penallion.livejournal.com]

I know, it's horrific. What was a genuine protest regarding that poor man's death has now been hijacked by opportunistic looters, rioters and people with no grievance, only a desire to cause unwarrented mayhem and facilitate easy looting.

[enismirdal.livejournal.com]

It's so ridiculous...and right now as a country we soooo don't need the mess or the expense.

[cobalt-skye.livejournal.com]

I feel that your last sentences should go up on a banner across London!