Tristán White wrote:
I live in Plaistow, not the safest of areas as anyone who opens the weekly
local rag can testify. But in 9 years living here, I haven't experienced
anything like what you have, and I go out all the time as I live a very
active social life.

Thankfully most people don't see it or experience problems. Mind you, I
also find that many people turn their head when something happens.
After I was assaulted for helping someone else, I will keep my head
down in future too.

I haven't been mugged or attacked on the street in 32 years (bar the
incident mentioned above) and don't fear for my life when walking from
the town centre/train station (where the problems are) to my house
which is in a nicer - but by no means perfect - area. I am street wise
though, and believe me, you can see where trouble spots are. Cross the
road, take another route, turn around and wait - all things you can do
to keep safe.

Timing matters too, as walking anywhere at pub turn out time wasn't
good and if I've come home on the last train, walking by the nightclub
at 2am isn't wise. In the morning, travel in rush hour and you're fine
but wait until the scum wake up, and the fingers up at the inspectors,
jumping over the wall all begins and continues all day. The RPIs seem
to take it in their stride but I am not sure what company policy is
now. One of them was assaulted before Christmas and I bet they're being
told to bite their lip when they're provoked now, which is why the
evaders are getting more cocky.

The fact is, you do what you do to ensure your own safety - and it has
paid off so far. The wife would never do what I do, as she would be far
more likely to be attacked if she walked home at 2am through the town
centre. She gets a cab, or I pick her up. If she is with me, she will
never let me get involved with anything and will walk to another
carriage or even get off the train/bus/tube. This might make her (and
me) safe, but it isn't stopping the incidents taking place.

Jonathan