Please or to access all these features

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:
Thread gallery
6
Slatterndisgrace · 17/06/2025 10:26

bipbopdo · 17/06/2025 10:25

I really wouldn’t waste your breath @Sabire9. They were talking themselves into reviving child exploitation/labour just a few posts ago. It’s pointless engaging.

Edited

No they weren’t, you’re a liar.

Lol, ‘pointless’ engaging.

You aren’t engaging.

Slatterndisgrace · 17/06/2025 10:25

One has to wonder why the benefit system was literally urging people to claim at certain points,

bipbopdo · 17/06/2025 10:25

Sabire9 · 17/06/2025 09:52

Do you have populist far right political parties who have a press platform that facilitates them posting endless negative 'news' about immigrant and immigration?

I really wouldn’t waste your breath @Sabire9. They were talking themselves into reviving child exploitation/labour just a few posts ago. It’s pointless engaging.

Slatterndisgrace · 17/06/2025 10:23

Let’s remember the start of this - the lazy English, they don’t want work. We need to import REAL workers.

It’s not like there wasn’t a long term agenda to all this.

And here we are.

Pistachioitaliano · 17/06/2025 10:22

Crikeyalmighty · 17/06/2025 10:10

@Sabire9 yep - I’m all for a certain amount of control on immigration ( and I’m centre/left) but I defy anyone to tell me that the immigration situation is much better post Brexit - it simply isn’t and was never going to be . The public were never told explicitly that gaps in the workforce , partly due to many Brits being fussy what they did would mean vast amounts of 3rd world immigration - Boris Johnson kept that very quiet. Maybe I would have a bit more time for the Express and Mail and Telegraph if instead of banging on about immigration examined their own part in creating an environment that has caused resentment and a them and attitude, examined why we have so many white British wasters that they don’t bang on about , examined why an environment has been created that people at the lower end of income and especially if they have kids and are renting find they are better off with bits of part time and top ups and finding ways to maximise what they can get out of the state -

all they do is pander to mainly older people who are in more secure situations, often not working and seek to blame others who they know will be unlikely to vote for right wing parties anyway - because that is their core readership -

If you require money, you take a job. The saying "beggars can't be choosers" comes to mind.

We have created a dysfunctional society whereby those without have greater choice than everyone else which is ridiculous.

A reset is urgently needed. Benefits should only be paid to those who have already contributed.

Slatterndisgrace · 17/06/2025 10:17

Crikeyalmighty · 17/06/2025 10:10

@Sabire9 yep - I’m all for a certain amount of control on immigration ( and I’m centre/left) but I defy anyone to tell me that the immigration situation is much better post Brexit - it simply isn’t and was never going to be . The public were never told explicitly that gaps in the workforce , partly due to many Brits being fussy what they did would mean vast amounts of 3rd world immigration - Boris Johnson kept that very quiet. Maybe I would have a bit more time for the Express and Mail and Telegraph if instead of banging on about immigration examined their own part in creating an environment that has caused resentment and a them and attitude, examined why we have so many white British wasters that they don’t bang on about , examined why an environment has been created that people at the lower end of income and especially if they have kids and are renting find they are better off with bits of part time and top ups and finding ways to maximise what they can get out of the state -

all they do is pander to mainly older people who are in more secure situations, often not working and seek to blame others who they know will be unlikely to vote for right wing parties anyway - because that is their core readership -

Would you mind reposting this with all the words you left out? It’s a bit difficult to read.

Oh wait. Shall we condense it?

White English = spongers/wasters.

Immigrants = hardworking, bringing morals and self respect to teach us English how it really works.

Crikeyalmighty · 17/06/2025 10:10

@Sabire9 yep - I’m all for a certain amount of control on immigration ( and I’m centre/left) but I defy anyone to tell me that the immigration situation is much better post Brexit - it simply isn’t and was never going to be . The public were never told explicitly that gaps in the workforce , partly due to many Brits being fussy what they did would mean vast amounts of 3rd world immigration - Boris Johnson kept that very quiet. Maybe I would have a bit more time for the Express and Mail and Telegraph if instead of banging on about immigration examined their own part in creating an environment that has caused resentment and a them and attitude, examined why we have so many white British wasters that they don’t bang on about , examined why an environment has been created that people at the lower end of income and especially if they have kids and are renting find they are better off with bits of part time and top ups and finding ways to maximise what they can get out of the state -

all they do is pander to mainly older people who are in more secure situations, often not working and seek to blame others who they know will be unlikely to vote for right wing parties anyway - because that is their core readership -

LooTenant · 17/06/2025 10:07

Sabire9 · 17/06/2025 09:52

Do you have populist far right political parties who have a press platform that facilitates them posting endless negative 'news' about immigrant and immigration?

Most people here use their own eyes rather than having to read negative news about immigration.
My own haven’t failed me yet.

EasternStandard · 17/06/2025 09:52

NattyTurtle59 · 17/06/2025 09:49

We have refugees, asylum seekers, and economic migrants here but I don't recognise the terrible issues you seem to have in the UK, so something must be different.

Were you in the country with the quota? Yes it’s different to this system

Sabire9 · 17/06/2025 09:52

NattyTurtle59 · 17/06/2025 09:49

We have refugees, asylum seekers, and economic migrants here but I don't recognise the terrible issues you seem to have in the UK, so something must be different.

Do you have populist far right political parties who have a press platform that facilitates them posting endless negative 'news' about immigrant and immigration?

EasternStandard · 17/06/2025 09:52

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.

And as they age how do we deal with that?

Do you mean we just keep going up in population over next few decades? Where would you like to see it rise to

Sabire9 · 17/06/2025 09:49

OrdinaryMagicOfAcorns · 17/06/2025 09:03

Our population has risen far enough, provably from immigration.We cannot feed and house everyone here now. I really don’t get the wisdom of encouraging mass emigration to lands that are already completely full.

These peoples are going to have to recognise the need for population numbers control and look for social solutions at home.

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.

NattyTurtle59 · 17/06/2025 09:49

TheignT · 17/06/2025 08:29

Do you seriously think we are the only country that has refugees, asylum seekers, economic migrants. We aren't even near the top of the list.

We have refugees, asylum seekers, and economic migrants here but I don't recognise the terrible issues you seem to have in the UK, so something must be different.

Slatterndisgrace · 17/06/2025 09:42

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Sabire9 · 17/06/2025 09:40

Slatterndisgrace · 17/06/2025 09:22

@ TheignT

I’m also utterly SICK of being considered racist because of my views on immigration. Thoroughly sick of it but it’s used constantly as a stick to beat some of us with. It’s a LAZY weapon.

You're not racist then Slatterndisgrace?

So you don't only or primarily post about immigration in relation to the things you dislike about immigrants, and that when you're talking about the things you don't like about immigrants and immigrations you're always talking about non-white immigrants?

Because we all know the vast majority of immigrants are law abiding people, pay taxes, came here by invitation, and many make great contributions to our country.

Sabire9 · 17/06/2025 09:37

suburburban · 16/06/2025 18:55

Again I don’t understand why they are allowed to be here. They are not adding any value

Who's 'they'?

Slatterndisgrace · 17/06/2025 09:22

@ TheignT

I’m also utterly SICK of being considered racist because of my views on immigration. Thoroughly sick of it but it’s used constantly as a stick to beat some of us with. It’s a LAZY weapon.

orangeslemonsandlimes · 17/06/2025 09:18

Quirkswork · 17/06/2025 07:43

What I suspect the government will do to reduce the number of asylum seekers in the hotels waiting for processing is to speed up the processing by letting them all in no matter the merit of their claim. Much faster and easier than deporting them and they will just disperse round the country. It will be interesting to see the figures "going down" in the next 6 months.

I can see that happening too, which in turn will be used by some people as proof that ‘most of the asylum seekers are legitimate, because most claims are being granted’.

Slatterndisgrace · 17/06/2025 09:04

TheignT · 17/06/2025 09:03

You're the one complaining that we take too many. I'm not unhappy with the numbers so I think you need to tell us what's fair.

There you go, you’re not ‘unhappy’ with the numbers.

We will obviously agree to disagree then. Or is that not allowed?

OrdinaryMagicOfAcorns · 17/06/2025 09:03

Our population has risen far enough, provably from immigration.We cannot feed and house everyone here now. I really don’t get the wisdom of encouraging mass emigration to lands that are already completely full.

These peoples are going to have to recognise the need for population numbers control and look for social solutions at home.

TheignT · 17/06/2025 09:03

Slatterndisgrace · 17/06/2025 09:02

I don’t know how to work out our fair share, do you? Do you even care?

And do you believe diversity is our strength? Or agree it’s just psychobabble?

Edited

You're the one complaining that we take too many. I'm not unhappy with the numbers so I think you need to tell us what's fair.

Slatterndisgrace · 17/06/2025 09:02

TheignT · 17/06/2025 08:58

How do you work out our fair share? Why say the funnel is always to this island when apparently you know there isn't a funnel that is always to here?

I'm not easily offended I just like the truth.

I don’t know how to work out our fair share, do you? Do you even care?

And do you believe diversity is our strength? Or agree it’s just psychobabble?

TheignT · 17/06/2025 08:58

How do you work out our fair share? Why say the funnel is always to this island when apparently you know there isn't a funnel that is always to here?

I'm not easily offended I just like the truth.

Slatterndisgrace · 17/06/2025 08:44

TheignT · 17/06/2025 08:29

Do you seriously think we are the only country that has refugees, asylum seekers, economic migrants. We aren't even near the top of the list.

Too late to edit my last post.

Are you’ always so ready to be offended?

We’re a tiny island, we’ve had our fair share. Get over it.

Slatterndisgrace · 17/06/2025 08:33

TheignT · 17/06/2025 08:29

Do you seriously think we are the only country that has refugees, asylum seekers, economic migrants. We aren't even near the top of the list.

Nope, I don’t.