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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:
Thread gallery
6
justasking111 · 17/06/2025 18:18

alikelylass · 17/06/2025 13:02

And if they live in Northern Ireland they can look forward to having their house firebombed....

You think that they will be driven out?

justasking111 · 17/06/2025 18:15

Sabire9 · 17/06/2025 09:49

We are NOT 'completely full'.

This is just ignorant nonsense.

England alone has 1 million empty homes, 1 in 10 of the population own more than one house, we have falling rolls in schools across the UK, and a rapidly ageing demographic.

If you want economic growth you need workers. If those workers arrive as adults rather than needing the state to pay for 18 years of education prior to them entering the workforce, so much the better.

Those one million homes may be empty but the owners want it that way. A family member works in a government team whose job it is to contact the owners of empty premises offering to take them over spend money making them lettable lease them at a fair rent for ten years. The overwhelming response is no thanks.

PansyPotter84 · 17/06/2025 17:33

justasking111 · 16/06/2025 18:32

Friend who works in the local council said there's going to be a huge influx of immigrants. They've been told that locals in the queue for housing are to be dumped in favour of the immigration folk. The other councils have been instructed similarly. Ditto housing association staff. There's going to be issues. Reform UK will get a lot of votes going forward.

Shh!!!🤫

You can’t say things like that (even if they’re true!)

Might get into trouble…

Sabire9 · 17/06/2025 16:53

Crikeyalmighty · 17/06/2025 13:26

@EasternStandard well maybe that wasn’t my finest moment - put the poster was giving off ‘get a real job’ vibes and insulting people- my one comment about Farage certainly didn’t balance off her mass personal insults to multiple posters .

I think she's drunk or just not very well. Her comments are absolutely barking.

Crikeyalmighty · 17/06/2025 13:26

@EasternStandard well maybe that wasn’t my finest moment - put the poster was giving off ‘get a real job’ vibes and insulting people- my one comment about Farage certainly didn’t balance off her mass personal insults to multiple posters .

alikelylass · 17/06/2025 13:02

Quirkswork · 17/06/2025 12:23

Immigrants are mad to come here anyway. Unemployment rising due to Labour's policies, less money around so benefits will have to be reduced eventually and possible conscription if we end up having to go to war.

And if they live in Northern Ireland they can look forward to having their house firebombed....

Slatterndisgrace · 17/06/2025 12:23

Sabire9 · 17/06/2025 12:17

Still puzzled as to why you're repeatedly referring to me working and my job.

What has any of this got to do with my job?

You’re obsessed with me.

I advised that doing some physical labour would be good for your mental health and stop your obsession. You go trawling through my past posts. It isn’t normal.

It’s up to you now. I can’t help you anymore.

Take care.

Quirkswork · 17/06/2025 12:23

Immigrants are mad to come here anyway. Unemployment rising due to Labour's policies, less money around so benefits will have to be reduced eventually and possible conscription if we end up having to go to war.

Sabire9 · 17/06/2025 12:17

Slatterndisgrace · 17/06/2025 12:11

Good luck with your job.

Still puzzled as to why you're repeatedly referring to me working and my job.

What has any of this got to do with my job?

Bbq1 · 17/06/2025 12:12

I live in a suburb of a large city. I always I have. Our area is quiet and safe We have parks a beach, canals and all generally safe. Lots of families, dog walkers and couples. There is a "dry beggar" whi sits outside a local supermarket and occasionally somebody will ask for money by the railway station. In the city itself, there areI sadly many visibly homeless people as with all large cities but ut is generally safe with some lovely areas and buildings, a lot of history. The one main issue in the country is people having children who shouldn't be and then dragging those poor children up or just being very ineffectual, disengaged or bad parents. Those kids grow up with zero respect ir boundaries and repeat the cycle. I also think drugs are a huge factor.

Slatterndisgrace · 17/06/2025 12:11

Sabire9 · 17/06/2025 12:10

@Slatterndisgrace

Are you drunk? This was you being abusive to someone who picked you up on a dickish comment about a homeless person's sleeping arrangements.

"Oh piss off. If you’re needing somewhere to make a bed find a better place than an underpass. What’s going to happen, is the person going to claim it as their own bedroom eventually? A public underpass. Don’t come the bleeding heart with me, you don’t know me."

Good luck with your job.

EasternStandard · 17/06/2025 12:10

Crikeyalmighty · 17/06/2025 12:04

@EasternStandard I took you for having higher standards than being supportive to someone going round calling people total twats and bone idle wasters etc - I may not agree with you politically but am suprised you think that posters language and tone was ok

I think accusing posters of drooling over a politician will rile them up.

It could be aimed at anyone, ie Starmer too and is rarely helpful.

Sabire9 · 17/06/2025 12:10

@Slatterndisgrace

Are you drunk? This was you being abusive to someone who picked you up on a dickish comment about a homeless person's sleeping arrangements.

"Oh piss off. If you’re needing somewhere to make a bed find a better place than an underpass. What’s going to happen, is the person going to claim it as their own bedroom eventually? A public underpass. Don’t come the bleeding heart with me, you don’t know me."

Crikeyalmighty · 17/06/2025 12:04

@EasternStandard I took you for having higher standards than being supportive to someone going round calling people total twats and bone idle wasters etc - I may not agree with you politically but am suprised you think that posters language and tone was ok

alikelylass · 17/06/2025 12:01

Sabire9 · 17/06/2025 11:38

@alikelylass

So are you making a case for supporting asylum seekers and refugees with language learning to facilitate their employment, and maybe also acknowledge that hatred of asylum seekers and racism might have some contribution to this group having more difficulty with obtaining employment even once they have permission to work?

Or are you using these statistics to argue that we should stop offering asylum to anyone?

I'm not making a case for anything.

I was asked for statistics about asylum seekers and their lack of English literacy, and I provided those statistics.

Slatterndisgrace · 17/06/2025 11:49

EasternStandard · 17/06/2025 11:44

@Slatterndisgracedon’t worry about it. It’s to rile you up, just ignore.

Thanks EasternStandard

Yes, you’re right.

I allowed myself to get sucked in.

Sabire9 · 17/06/2025 11:49

FrankensteinsMonster · 17/06/2025 11:38

Many of these groups or lone men unemployed and drinking through the day are 'refugees' that the government have placed in hotels or other accommodation up and down the country. Thats why this behaviour has seemingly happened all of a sudden. Its become endemic across swathes of cities, towns and villages where 'migrant hotels' have been implemented. A corresponding uptick in harassment, assault and anti-social behaviour is common.

Are they refugees or 'refugees'?

You appreciate that the immigrants that people spend most energy demonising - Syrians, Iranians, Somalians, Indians, who make up the majority of asylum seeker numbers, are Muslims, most of whom don't drink alcohol?

Street drinking is a problem wherever it happens and always has been. Police need to address it.

Slatterndisgrace · 17/06/2025 11:48

Sabire9 · 17/06/2025 11:40

@Slatterndisgrace

I'm still really confused about why you keep angrily insisting that people take up manual jobs.

Do you think that if I was still working in hospitality scraping shit out of customer toilets I'd hate and resent immigrants as much as you obviously do?

Can you explain the mechanism for that?

You see, that’s all you’ve got . Calling me a racist!

All I’m saying is get yourself some physical labour, get that nonsense out of your system and be a better human being. Find a soul (I assume there’s one hanging around and you might get lucky).

But, you just can’t handle it.

It’s hilarious.

EasternStandard · 17/06/2025 11:44

Slatterndisgrace · 17/06/2025 11:38

See, this poster has absolutely no legitimate reason to believe I ever supported farage, but they said it anyway. Do you’d see how this crap works?

I have never voted farage.

lol.

@Slatterndisgracedon’t worry about it. It’s to rile you up, just ignore.

Slatterndisgrace · 17/06/2025 11:43

Sabire9 · 17/06/2025 11:40

@Slatterndisgrace

I'm still really confused about why you keep angrily insisting that people take up manual jobs.

Do you think that if I was still working in hospitality scraping shit out of customer toilets I'd hate and resent immigrants as much as you obviously do?

Can you explain the mechanism for that?

I realise the idea is an anathema to you but it would really help you find a soul.

Pistachioitaliano · 17/06/2025 11:42

bipbopdo · 17/06/2025 11:34

But what happens if a family falls on hard times? You can’t just blink kids out of existence because you’ve lost your job or are seriously ill

Only having children when you are in a secure position will not stop the possibility of hard times but it will certainly mitigate the situation.

Too many are having children in a dire set up!!! They didn't have them when life was wonderful and then it went spectacularly wrong.

Sabire9 · 17/06/2025 11:40

@Slatterndisgrace

I'm still really confused about why you keep angrily insisting that people take up manual jobs.

Do you think that if I was still working in hospitality scraping shit out of customer toilets I'd hate and resent immigrants as much as you obviously do?

Can you explain the mechanism for that?

FrankensteinsMonster · 17/06/2025 11:38

FroggletTowers · 12/06/2025 14:06

Ah, someone noticed I mentioned Middle Eastern men.
How predictable.
Makes a change from being called woke, I suppose. Enough of that rubbish please.

I am interested in why so many men alone, never with women, seemingly unemployed or at least in a desperate mess are filling up public space with boozing here. No one seems to be either dealing with it or assisting them.
I have no idea why it has grown so suddenly since covid.

Many of these groups or lone men unemployed and drinking through the day are 'refugees' that the government have placed in hotels or other accommodation up and down the country. Thats why this behaviour has seemingly happened all of a sudden. Its become endemic across swathes of cities, towns and villages where 'migrant hotels' have been implemented. A corresponding uptick in harassment, assault and anti-social behaviour is common.

Sabire9 · 17/06/2025 11:38

@alikelylass

So are you making a case for supporting asylum seekers and refugees with language learning to facilitate their employment, and maybe also acknowledge that hatred of asylum seekers and racism might have some contribution to this group having more difficulty with obtaining employment even once they have permission to work?

Or are you using these statistics to argue that we should stop offering asylum to anyone?

Slatterndisgrace · 17/06/2025 11:38

Crikeyalmighty · 17/06/2025 11:23

I’ve reported @Slatterndisgrace for personal attacks on people - calling people who disagree twats or bone idol idiots who disagree with you is not at all acceptable @Slatterndisgrace - may I suggest you get back to your physical labour and drooling over Farage ( not much sign of physical labour there- just grabbing public money) - you clearly need some physical labour to work off your aggression

See, this poster has absolutely no legitimate reason to believe I ever supported farage, but they said it anyway. Do you’d see how this crap works?

I have never voted farage.

lol.