Is East London a dangerous place to live?

[lunar]

On Saturday, my wife and I and my child went to East London, Newham to do a little shopping and break our fast.
We were there for nearly 3 hours from 3.30pm. Here are the series of events in that time.
1. As we exited the market area 4 youths were fleeing from a bakery called G____ holding numerous baguettes and drinks.
2. I was nearly hit by a vehicle that veered at speed into the wrong side of the road.
3. An e-scooter came onto the pavement and brushed me. I shouted at the youth, "you *** if you feel you must swear, you should fully star it out, not just partially ***” The Asian youth approached me and started swearing. When I became aggressive he moved away and joined a group of youths. I walked away hastily.
4. We passed a jewellery store which had lots of white smoke emerging from the open door. Shoppers were running out. I think a smoke bomb may have been used.
5. I was ordering food from a fast food store called k__. My wife was sitting upstairs waiting for me. When I came upstairs my wife informed me that two men tried to take someone's handbag.
Is this typical or was I just unlucky?

 

[rypt]

Sounds like a normal day in any major city in the UK, and any part of London.

 

[Scuzi]

E___ L_____ i_ a ******* ******** I n____ w___ t_ s__ f___ i_ i_ a____. I’_ n__ s________ b_ y___ e_________.

I_’_ f___ o_ c____.

 

[aVdub]

Sounds like a normal day in any major city in the UK, and any part of London.

And Europe.

 

[Feek]

I shouted at the youth, "you ******* ******”

That was nice of you.

The Asian youth approached me and started swearing. When I became aggressive he moved away and joined a group of youths.

Just getting this clear. You shouted abuse at him, he swore at you, you became aggressive.

Sounds like you were escalating the situation.

How's your boxing stance?

 

[Derek W]

Sounds like you were escalating the situation will fit right in.

How's your boxing stance?

FTFY

 

[throwaway4372]

Sounds like a hole, which is what I thought it was like, so I'd guess it's normal.

 

[potatolord]

That was nice of you.



Just getting this clear. You shouted abuse at him, he swore at you, you became aggressive.

Sounds like you were escalating the situation.

How's your boxing stance?

That's not old school- the blighter's a southpaw!

 

[loftie]

There are some less than nice areas of London, i'd imagine East London would have a higher share of them. That said you seem to have had one hell of an experience.

 

[danoliver1]

Diversity is our strength.

 

[Terminal_Boy]

If the OP enjoyed Newham, he’ll love Ilford these days.

 

[Rroff]

Certain things have got worse since I last lived in south east/east London - very rarely had groups of youths hitting stores shoplifting or as much brazen anti-social or illegal behaviour in broad daylight though that is on the rise generally.

 

[Rroff]

If the OP enjoyed Newham, he’ll love Ilford these days.

My parents came from Ilford - very different place these days.

 

[Diddums]

East London is an absolute dump.

 

[Silly Goose On The Loose]

Sounds like a very real and honest story.

 

[Efour]

Its a ********.

 

[BDEE]

Do Greggs and KFC sell PC parts now or am I missing something?

 

[explicit4u]

East London is a mix of some of the roughest areas in London, and some overpriced new builds with nice restaurants and cafes. As long as you can make it from the station to your house in one piece it’s good fun.

 

[lunar]

That's not old school- the blighter's a southpaw!

Basically, he would have won. Worse was the others were wearing masks over mouths. I should have left it alone. However, if the scooter had hit me it could have been serious.

 

[Uther]

I lived in east London late 70's early 80's, and it was a **** hole then. I doubt it's improved much.