Talk:Northumberland Heath

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The Northumberland Heath article is drawn from local sources and reflects the corporate account and view of Bexley Council and their supporters in the Community Forum. If you live in Northumberland Heath, you have a slightly different view. Yes the area is a pleasant place to live, as long as you are prepared to put up with vandalism, youth disorder and a lack of investment in the community by the local authority over the past twenty years.

Northumberland Heath is an expanding community, with lots of new houses being built and families being encouraged to move into the area, due to its proximity to London (public transport or road) and the attractions of a relatively low Council Tax compared with elsewhere in London. Unfortunately, the investment in the Community is lacking. Resources such as community policing are a reaction to a problem caused by social division and disintegration over the last 20 years or so.

The lack of recognition of the problems being caused is led by a crown of Politicians who appear to put self-interest and party, before their duty to their constituents. The past regime appeared to be more concerned with liberalising everything, to knock down all that is traditional and to release standards of behaviour that were previously unacceptable but are now accepted as the norm.

If you live here and are elderly, vunerable or just different, you go in fear of mugging, assault, vandalism or worse. The community tries to fight back, but is ignored, marginalised and treated as reactionaries, rather than concerned, responsible adults who want a better life for themselves and the whole community.

There is no freedom of thought or speech. No ability to defend yourself or property without incurring a criminal record. There is racial bias in the community and a gang culture among the young from different neighbourhoods or schools. This is encouraged by the failure of the parents to accept their responsibilities, and of community leaders to set the example and to take the lead in resolving local problems.

The police presence is defined by a scene recently in Erith Road. Two Community Support Officers confronted an individual riding a cycle fast along a busy, crowded pavement. They were met with a barrage of abuse, which they accepted and allowed the individual to carry on on the pavement without taking any further action.

They always arrive after the event, and prevention is not an option. Reported crime or vandalism results in a Crime Number and a letter from Victim Support. You never get it investigated and no one pays, except the victims.

Even so, I will live here as my family is here and it is my home. Perhaps things will get better, but only with significant investment of resources and time in the young, providing things for them to do, and places for them to go, without overdue heavy handed supervision. Lead by example, not by fear. You are not owed respect, you have to earn it. 212.100.250.213 22:07, 23 December 2006 (UTC) local resident

Comment on above

Just as well the above (unnamed) editor didn't put any of that tirade on the article itself!! I find it quite shocking that, almost without exception, the articles on places in these London Boroughs puts so much emphasis on the ward aspect of a place. The history reference quoted (which was incorrect) shows that there is quite a past connected with this place - and yet all we can talk about is the political entity. Wards are subdivisions of the Borough, and as such are set up to give an equal population for each ward councillor. The article itself shows that, although there is a ward called NH, not all of the real NH is contained within it! Peter Shearan (talk) 14:35, 30 November 2008 (UTC)