IT once boasted a proud, bustling high street – today, even the pound shops are boarded up. Now, on top of problems with violent crime, drugs and homelessness, residents of Chatham have told …
Credit: JOHN McLELLAN
"There was that recent attack with the knife, when there were chairs being thrown at passersby – it’s not been the nicest place at times and it seems to be getting worse." “You have to keep an eye on people, even the young kids because if they don’t have money they will steal and we have to confront them,” he said.
The high street's only fishmonger, Kent Quality Fish, is also feeling the pinch and has just one year to make a significant profit or they will be forced to close permanently.Rebecca Ryan, 26, is skipping meals to ensure she can feed one-year-old Maya-JaneThe cost of living crisis has crippled many families in Chatham – an area that was already struggling before the pandemic and recent economic challenges.
“It’s getting unbearable, it was hard enough to live before prices went up but now it’s unachievable,” says the mum-of-one. “We’ve received threatening letters from debt collectors and I have to ring companies every week to explain I’m paying all I can and am starving myself to do it.” NHS workers, teachers and people from all walks of life use their services, which also include giving away furniture, kitchen equipment, clothing and school uniforms.
“If we give people things for free they won’t need to shoplift,” he said. “Desperate people will do desperate things to feed their family.”Credit: JOHN McLELLAN In a 2011 incident which still shocks residents today, Danai Muhammadi set fire to his ex-partner Melissa Crook's family home - killing her, her father and their 15-month-old son Noah.
“Luton Road is notorious for most criminal activities. It could be weapons, drugs, the sex trade or people trying to fight you because they are drunk,” he said.
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