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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Is our town a shithole..

860 replies

FroggletTowers · 12/06/2025 13:53

Or is this happening anywhere else?

I have been discussing this with friends, family and colleagues recently so won't name our town for privacy reasons, but it is a regular, large town in England, UK.
Nothing particularly special or awful about it, previously.

Since the pandemic, the entire vibe has changed. Almost unrecognisable.
Yes, we have some heavy shop closures like many towns, but the council kept it looking decent as much as it could. Some nice buildings and nature areas, etc.

What stands out most, apart from the general vandalism and dog shit is the weird accumulation of male groups hanging around boozing in public.

So far they have taken over the local park, river walks and nature reserves. They often cluster beneath bridges or across paths where people like to run, cycle walk dogs or take children, making it less safe and filling these areas with waste. Off road bikes have ruined the nature reserves, so less people visit Sad

Sadly the authorities don't seem to be doing much about it, it is as if these people don't have to abide by laws that the rest of us have to. Some buildings adjacent to these areas have windows put through on a regular basis, even in what you'd call 'nice' areas.
Many of them cluster at river bridges and block the path for others, most are very drunk or out of generally.
It isn't unusual to see a large man passed out across the pathway, blocking anyone getting past. If you had a pram or bike it would be really uncomfortable to have to rouse a large drunk at 2pm in the afternoon. Most are local men, with a growing amount of middle eastern men. The vast majority of them are unstable.

We see less women out cycling, walking or exercising now, and this encompasses both MC and WC areas. These people seem to have just multiplied and spread across the entire borough and have taken over all public space.
We live in a decent area that is now seeming to go downhill.
It isn't unusual to see day drinkers sat alone, surrounded by cans on a quiet residential street. And they won't move to let you past.

It's really depressing.

OP posts:
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Discobooloo · 12/06/2025 17:12

My town is exactly the same. Lots of open urination too.

The amount of dumped household waste is also a joke.

Locals are accused of racism and feel like the council and police cannot see it. Someone has set up a Facebook group dedicated to the drunks and urinating and it's got a huge following but nothing happens.

Seems to be the way the country is now but with everything happening in N Ireland, I do wonder about similar uprisings occurring

RedhairDL · 12/06/2025 17:12

PandoraSocks · 12/06/2025 17:07

The third one is badly manufactured by a self-interested grifter and liable to blow up in your face.

In your opinion of course, but I’d be willing to give it the chance… because the other two have proven useless. I feel like I’m out of options.

Enigma53 · 12/06/2025 17:11

HectorPlasm · 12/06/2025 16:19

Go to Chester - horrible feel in the streets sometimes. It's always had a rough edge under the facade but it 100 times worse now. There are people there (the usual crowd I'm afraid - druggies, drinkers etc) that would steal the steam of your piss.

That’s sad to hear. Chester is my nearest city. Not been in ages though.

I do recall race days being spectacularly scary though!

coxesorangepippin · 12/06/2025 17:10

Whether they are Middle Eastern or not, gangs of rough men hanging around drunk isn't good

Enigma53 · 12/06/2025 17:09

Give us a clue which area you are referring to OP. Then people can give more agreeing/ disagreeing responses.

Azureshores · 12/06/2025 17:08

HectorPlasm · 12/06/2025 16:19

Go to Chester - horrible feel in the streets sometimes. It's always had a rough edge under the facade but it 100 times worse now. There are people there (the usual crowd I'm afraid - druggies, drinkers etc) that would steal the steam of your piss.

I agree and it makes me sad. Chester used to be one of our favourite places to visit - it always felt quite upmarket - but the last few years it's become far less salubrious, loads of closed shops and drunk people/stag/hens everywhere. And downright frightening on a race day!

PandoraSocks · 12/06/2025 17:07

RedhairDL · 12/06/2025 16:39

Well let’s say you have three light bulbs.

Two don’t work. The third one, you haven’t tried yet.

Do you just keep trying the first two hoping for a different outcome - I’m sure there’s a saying about that.

The third one is badly manufactured by a self-interested grifter and liable to blow up in your face.

FroggletTowers · 12/06/2025 17:07

GAJLY · 12/06/2025 16:58

Yes! Exactly this here too! I'm in a city in the midlands. Then and parks are filled with eastern European men hanging around in groups. It's intimidating so less kids and women go there. It's become a real shit hole.

Men, regardless their culture of origin, appear to have changed in terms of public behaviour, at least in many places. Definitely something I have noticed.
I think there's something....weirdly, going unchallenged?

I have noticed them blocking up pavements or entrances to stores, no apologies, just a total disregard for anyone else. I don't just refer to those in drinking gangs, either.

I wonder what it is and why that's happening. A few people I know have mentioned it so I'm not alone, but not sure if anyone on here has?

OP posts:
Slatterndisgrace · 12/06/2025 17:06

Why don’t you just say where you live OP? Just the county.

iliketheradio · 12/06/2025 17:05

Azureshores · 12/06/2025 17:04

I know right? I'm utterly baffled 😂

I think she’s lost the plot tbh.

Azureshores · 12/06/2025 17:04

iliketheradio · 12/06/2025 17:03

So weird and patronising. Are you okay???

I know right? I'm utterly baffled 😂

KateShugakIsALegend · 12/06/2025 17:04

Dying to know where @FroggletTowers is refering to.

Not something I have seen, so keen to understand more.

iliketheradio · 12/06/2025 17:03

FroggletTowers · 12/06/2025 17:00

Can you tel" us where you live then so people know to avoid it? You may get more people coming on agreeing with you or offering another perspective if they know the area.

Put the gin down, sweetpea. I'll put the kettle on.

So weird and patronising. Are you okay???

Azureshores · 12/06/2025 17:01

FroggletTowers · 12/06/2025 17:00

Can you tel" us where you live then so people know to avoid it? You may get more people coming on agreeing with you or offering another perspective if they know the area.

Put the gin down, sweetpea. I'll put the kettle on.

Excuse me?

Are you ok? 😂

FroggletTowers · 12/06/2025 17:00

Can you tel" us where you live then so people know to avoid it? You may get more people coming on agreeing with you or offering another perspective if they know the area.

Put the gin down, sweetpea. I'll put the kettle on.

OP posts:
Azureshores · 12/06/2025 16:58

FroggletTowers · 12/06/2025 15:10

If they are single lack of ties to family may lead to hanging out with like minded people to find their tribe.

Likely this.
The oddest thing is how few women are out and about in recreational areas now. There are so many of them though, I have no idea how it grew so quickly.

We live on the outskirts in a lovely place, and it has crept into the parks and river ways close by.
I would very much not advise anyone to purchase a property in any of the good areas now, and would never have said this 6 years ago.

Can you tel" us where you live then so people know to avoid it? You may get more people coming on agreeing with you or offering another perspective if they know the area.

GAJLY · 12/06/2025 16:58

Yes! Exactly this here too! I'm in a city in the midlands. Then and parks are filled with eastern European men hanging around in groups. It's intimidating so less kids and women go there. It's become a real shit hole.

Nippytoday · 12/06/2025 16:56

I live in a town between a big city and another town. They have all changed a lot in the last few years. Some parts of the city centre feel like no go areas. My town which is mostly full of retired people has beggars and people lying outside the shops. The other town has had lots of homeless people placed in a hotel and I visited a family member there who was vulnerable and the behaviour outside the hotel was shocking. I have seen homeless people shoplifting. Two of the empty banks were found to be cannabis factories. My teenage daughter has to walk past a hostel for the homeless every day and there are drunk/drugged up adult men outside all day waiting for a bed that evening. I understand that homeless people need a hostel but the location is central and my dc is witnessing things I do not want her to see and the whole area is unsafe.

So that’s three places that have all gone visibly downhill in recent times. All three areas were very safe and pleasant before.

FroggletTowers · 12/06/2025 16:56

I think this might be more visible in larger towns where there have been more diverse populations.
What people often perceive to be 'working class' are not these drinkers. These people are not working and are most likely very unwell.

Areas of our town that are working class are far more affluent; homeowners with cars, good jobs, holidays, etc. They may be culturally working class, with their won particular values, but they are not vandalising the streets.

Our more middle class areas are on the periphery of the town. Most travel out to shop or do hobbies, etc. Fewer people visit the actual town centre these days, although used to love doing so.

The town centre residential areas were chosen to house very troubled families and singles from other wards. These belong in neither the WC or MC, and in this town in particular, have seemingly multiplied in the past few years. In the past few years several different centres to house teen addicts have been built close by. Whatever help there is, isn't enough.

OP posts:
Bingbopboomboomboombopbam · 12/06/2025 16:55

I find it quite jarring the disparity across counties in the UK. From town to town you get very different vibes and quality of life. I moved from Lincolnshire to Yorkshire and a while ago when I went from a little wander around between train changes my reaction was something like “get me tf out of here back up north”. The whole city felt run down and moderately unsafe.

It’s just a personal opinion that means very little but I agree that the issue is the lack of affordable third spaces (or third spaces that don’t revolve around alcohol). The high street is dying but besides pubs, everything closes early too. People end up either isolating or loitering.

IpsumLollipop · 12/06/2025 16:54

Our town is the gateway to one of the most beautiful coasts in the world. If you look for it there's things to do and most of the people are decent.

Last night a gang of bigotted thugs decided it was a good idea to set fire to the front of our leisure centre with people still inside. Gym, pool, theatre and local cafe meeting spot gone - I never would have said it before (though many would) but today definition of a shithole and some people deserve no more!

JustSawJohnny · 12/06/2025 16:54

RedhairDL · 12/06/2025 16:39

Well let’s say you have three light bulbs.

Two don’t work. The third one, you haven’t tried yet.

Do you just keep trying the first two hoping for a different outcome - I’m sure there’s a saying about that.

The third one is riddled with fascists and is not for working people. Reform look good on paper to a 'certain demographic' purely due to their harsh immigration stance, but they are a party for the wealthy in terms of their policies and voting records. They are all for decimating workers rights and lowering taxes for the rich. If you take a look at the mess they are making in the councils they are now running, you wouldn't want them in charge of the Nation. Piss up & brewery, basically.

I tried so hard not to use the word cunts in that sentence. It was so hard. I might reward myself with a biscuit 😂

Azureshores · 12/06/2025 16:53

I don't recognise what you are mentioning in my (very middle class, affluent) town however there have been some big issue sellers/beggars (always non-British) in the last few years and recently one homeless man (white British) was sleeping in a shop doorway for around 6 months - he seemed to have MH issues. This was right through the bitterly cold winter and I was shocked that he didn't seem to be getting any help or moved on by the police.

Our nearest city - Manchester - has changed beyond recognition in the last 5 years or so, some good stuff some bad but one thing I've noticed is the huge increase in the different nationalities of people. The town I grew up in just outside Manchester (a poor working class town) used to be predominantly white, there were about 2 black kids and 3 Asian kids in my whole school year, now friends tell me their white kids are in the minority due to the massive increase in immigration and the fact they are moved into apartment blocks in poorer areas like this.

I have no judgement though - I don't live there and can't comment whether this has made the area worse or better in terms of crime - it was always rough when I was growing up.

Quirkswork · 12/06/2025 16:49

It's pretty obvious what's happening. Lots of illegal immigration which will mean its harder for them to get employment and thousands of asylum seekers being dumped throughout the country particularly in deprived areas of the north. Most of those are young men.

A lot less jobs for those that are allowed to work due to the ENI changes so things will get worse on the loitering about front.

Unemployment figures rising too.

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