I’m trapped living in ‘UK’s worst place’ – teens stalk streets with machetes & police helicopters keep us awake
A STONE'S throw from a row of police cars, a homeless man rummages in a bin looking for discarded cigarettes and leftovers.
We're in Luton, the Bedfordshire town branded the "worst place to live in the UK" this week in a new poll.
Despite boasting an airport and a popular university, many residents we spoke to agreed - claiming the London commuter belt town is plagued by crime, with young yobs running amok.
One resident, 83-year-old Peter Vaughn, who has lived there for 50 years, didn't mince his words.
“Worst place in the UK? It’s the worst place in the world," he tells us.
"At night, you find police helicopters keeping us up looking for drug dealers."
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In December 2021, Luton had the worst crime rate in Bedfordshire for burglary, and was also the county's most dangerous area for criminal damage and arson.
Data from Bedfordshire Police reveals last year alone, 1,156 crimes investigated ended up with no suspect identified, while 982 resulted in no prosecution.
When The Sun visited there was a strong police presence in the town, with frequent patrols. We even witnessed an arrest.
But officers on the street don't appear to reassure residents.
Mateusz, 32, who immigrated from Poland and has lived in Luton for two years, says: "Generally I would say it’s not a good place to live and it’s not getting any better.
"There are a lot of businesses that are shutting down and people don’t have jobs.
"Crime and drugs are very visible here on the streets even during the day and it shouldn't be like that.
"Whatever people choose to do in their own time and privacy is their business but it's just so visible over here."
But not all residents agreed with the I Live Here poll.
Terry Toon, 84, a former printing industry worker who has lived in Luton all his life, says: "I don't know why Luton is getting such a bad rap because there's a lot going for it.
"We've got the airport and we're not far from London. I've got nothing against Luton itself. It's always given me a job and a living so I'm happy."
He does admit that he hopes the shopping centre improves, adding: "I just hope it changes so we can go in there because a lot of people won't come down now.
"Even my daughter won't come in. They just don't like it."
'We're good'
One of Luton's most fierce defenders is Yenkofa Afrique, who owns businesses in High Town, one of its most recognisable inner areas.
The 44-year-old owns a barbershop and an African-Caribbean grocery store named after him, and says he "fully disagrees" with the poll.
"There’s crime everywhere - it’s in Westminster and even in the White House," he says.
"We love this town. If we don’t make it right, nobody will do it for us.
"High crime rates and drugs are everywhere. Luton people don’t do drugs. The drugs come from the city - we are not drug dealers here."
Yenkofa's mother Kafui, who runs his shop, adds: "I've been here since 1990 and I've seen nothing wrong with Luton. I brought up two boys here who own businesses.
"Crime has reduced significantly. The government and the police have done a lot.
"People try to bring things in here because they think we have a reputation, and we kick them out. Luton has its own way of managing itself and we're okay."
Milanka Appuhamy, 44, who has lived in Luton for 10 years and runs an Indian restaurant called Ceylon Pantry, also defends her fellow Lutonians.
"People in Luton are not bad - they are lovely and have good hearts," she says.
"I walk these streets every day and nothing has ever happened to me, because when you give respect, you get it back.
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"There are some people who deal in drugs around here and you do have to be careful sometimes, but this is everywhere in the UK and the whole world. Those who work hard survive."
Luton Borough Council declined to comment.