In 1974, the singer/songwriter Ralph McTell released his hugely popular single, ‘Streets of London’. His very likeable tune reached number 2 in the charts, won an Ivor Novello award, and was directed at the lonely, the homeless and the elderly of our capital city.
In an effort to convince the souls that inspired his writing, Ralph makes them an offer, as he tries to persuade them that better days may lie ahead:
‘Let me take you by the hand
'And lead you through the streets of London,
'I’ll show you something to make you change your mind.’
As a crime, policing and political writer and commentator, I spend a lot of time monitoring social media, as I try to keep across what is happening in our once-great nation.
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Last week, a 36-second video came my way that made my heart sink. It was a snapshot of life today in Seven Sisters Road, north London. This was an area that I knew well from my days as a Scotland Yard undercover detective.
Back in the 80s and 90s, there was a sizeable Turkish population who had cemented themselves into the area, the children of the Windrush generation were now adults, but white faces remained a majority. Decent boozers still existed, and it was a cosmopolitan part of London that was well worth a visit.
A mere 36 seconds in this hellhole made my heart sink. A snapshot of what's coming — Peter Bleksley
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Unfortunately, this very contemporary video clip could have been shot in many of our high streets. It provides a very worrying and depressing view of Britain today. So, brace yourselves, and let me take you by the hand, and lead you through a street in London…
A woman dressed in traditional African attire, including headwear, has a number of mats or small tarpaulins messily laid out on the pavement. She is trying to sell some cooking pots and other items that look like they may have been rescued from a skip.
This must be unlicensed trading, because no local authority would sanction such unsightly and unhygienic chaos.
Another illegal vendor has her wares chaotically strewn on the ground. More ladies in African clothing gather around, and a rare white face is spotted.
A further step along the pavement reveals a considerable amount of litter, which creates a ghastly scene.
There’s a large piece of cardboard laid out on the ground, the kind of which the only-too-familiar homeless people of London sleep on.
Alongside this, a man with Middle Eastern features is trying to sell second-hand shoes, electrical items, and other jumble from his illegal pitch in front of a building society.
He was clearly prepared to spend some time doing this, because he had a small stool to sit on and a bag of food to sustain him.
For a reason that is not clear, he takes a few short paces towards a similar-looking fella, who could well be a fellow countryman.
The second man looks like he’s about to climb aboard a rental bike, one of those that can regularly be found obstructively strewn across the streets and pavements of our capital.
With his left hand, the unlicensed vendor reaches out and grabs the fringe of the would-be cyclist.
He then throws a couple of right-hooks, and both men fall to the ground, as they try to inflict as much damage upon each other as they can.
A man who is wearing a high-vis waistcoat for a reason that is unclear acts as a good Samaritan, and tries to separate the warring pair.
Two other public-spirited men assist him as punches continue to be exchanged. The video comes to an end.
‘So, what has this rampant lawlessness got to do with me?’ you may ask, if you live in a beautiful part of the country which does not suffer such blight.
Well, if the current and ludicrous levels of immigration, both legal and illegal, are not brought rapidly under control, then these are the kind of scenes that will be played out in your leafy and lovely high street very soon.
Chipping Norton, you have been warned…