Borough's most dangerous park?
A Canning Town resident, full name and address supplied, writes:
Is Keir Hardie Recreation Ground the most dangerous park in Newham?
I live very close and use this park most days for exercise and to walk to the shops in Canning Town but I always have my phone ready and my personal alarm.
Every day the park is full of drinkers and drug takers, openly on the benches, and worse. Gangs of youths ride around on electric scooters, terrorising anyone not fast enough to get out of their way as well. After dusk it’s Wild West time.
The latest attack on me – not counting the routine sexist and ageist abuse I routinely get for daring to think I can walk in the park alone – was a full can of drink thrown at me, hitting me hard on the back of my head and covering me in liquid. Yet in all the times I’ve been here I have never once seen a Pc or community safety officer in the park.
And yes I’ve reported this, though it was hard to see the point to be honest.
Travel concerns from all genders
Emma Gibson, director, London TravelWatch, writes:
Our recent research with Londoners showed that concerns about personal safety while moving around the capital are heightened at the moment.
We picked up these concerns from all genders, but particularly among younger people who wanted to see more visible staff and police presence on transport, to tackle anti-social behaviour.
We also picked up a higher level of worry among BAME people about their health and well-being when they are travelling to and from work.
With 60 per cent of key workers being women, it’s particularly important that transport operators listen and respond to the concerns of the people who are having to travel at the moment. The pandemic has heightened concern about safety in general and more will need to be done to reassure everyone that it’s safe to come back.
All of us in the transport industry need to listen to women and other marginalised groups, prioritise measures that improve safety, and hold accountable those who make others unsafe.
Be clear if you are not religious
Paul Kaufman, chair, East London Humanists, writes:
Census 21 is a once in a decade opportunity. The information collected helps set government policy for the next 10 years.
It is therefore important to make sure the information provided is accurate.
This is particularly important for those of us who are not religious.
According to the British Social Attitudes Survey we make up around two fifths of Londoners and over half the UK’s population.
Unfortunately the question in the census, “What is your religion”, leads many to say they have a religion even though they don’t have any meaningful belief in it. For example, it might just be the religion they were brought up in.
The same misleading question in the last census cut in half the results of the more accurate British Social Attitudes Survey. This is important.
Underestimating the numbers of non-religious leads to under-allocation in education, health, social care and pastoral care.
It is used to justify outdated provisions such as compulsory Christian worship in state schools and the automatic right of unelected bishops to vote on our laws in Parliament.
It is therefore important that anyone who is not religious in any meaningful sense ticks the “no religion” box.
Newham is a one-party state
Danny Keeling, convenor, Newham Greens, writes:
We are shocked to hear that Labour have suspended East Ham and West Ham constituency parties amid reports of fraud and a potential investigation by the police.
Newham is a one-party state run by Labour, and they can’t even keep their own house in order.
Until we have an opposition elected here in Newham, residents will continue to be forgotten while Labour remains preoccupied with infighting.
We believe Newham has had enough. It is time that Labour get serious about governing on behalf of all Newham residents instead of taking chunks out of each other while the real issues residents face are ignored. If they won’t, we will.
Help us target ovarian cancer
Sarah Greene, Target Ovarian Cancer patron, writes:
As resources within the NHS are stretched to their limits, charities like Target Ovarian Cancer need your help more than ever before.
Please help us raise awareness and raise funds.
Two thirds of women are diagnosed late, when the cancer is harder to treat.
I’m writing to ask your readers to take just two minutes of their time to learn the symptoms and spread the word to their families and friends.
The main symptoms of ovarian cancer are: persistent bloating, feeling full or having difficulty eating, tummy pain, and needing to wee more often or more urgently.
- If you believe in a future where every woman diagnosed with ovarian cancer has the best chance of survival, please show your support and visit targetovariancancer.org.uk/March
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