12 November (Part 2) - Bexley’s northern outpost. Going down hill fast
In
the whole of my 30 years in Abbey Wood - technically Belvedere but Abbey
Wood is much closer - I have never felt more depressed about the place.
Years of Council neglect and central government policies have changed it out of
recognition and £4·2 million of new flower beds and stone features in Lesnes
Abbey Park has done nothing whatsoever to lift my mood.
If I counted correctly there were seven knifings of various severity
within a couple of miles of home over a period of 13 days less than a month ago. Not long before
someone was bashed to a pulp with baseball bats less than ten minute’s walk
away. Overnight the new Sainsbury’s appears to have become a victim unless
perhaps a shopping trolley careered out of control within the store.
Meanwhile I hear that the attention the area has been given since September by
the police and Greenwich Council is likely to end soon for lack of evidence of bad behaviour.
When I tell my country bumpkin relatives what goes on - my son in Wiltshire
doesn’t see the need to lock his doors - I am asked why I stay here. They have a
good point but who else will look after the old lady in East Ham?
Photographs by Brian Barnett. @thamesmeadnews