Locals living in one of the most miserable towns in Britain have blasted their council for turning it into a ‘shambles’.
Residents in Barking and Dagenham compared their shopping centre to a ‘ghost town’ after it was named the least happy place to live in London.
East London has long been synonymous with hipsters and gentrification – but Barking is a far cry from the arty coffee shops, independent boutiques and trendy pubs of Brick Lane.
Instead of contending with an £8 pint in a gastro pub or queues at their favourite artisan bakery, locals in Barking are stuck with shops lying empty and homeless camps in their streets.
It comes as a survey by Rightmove asked over 35,000 people in 220 locations in the UK about their sense of pride, safety, and community.
Barking and Dagenham came 218th nationally and 33rd out of 33 in Greater London – even placing it behind notoriously troubled areas like Croydon and Brent.
As residents grapple with a cost of living that’s rising faster than wages, and new housing developments that are pushing up rental prices, many are feeling priced out of their own neighbourhood.
But as locals voiced their concerns to MailOnline, it became clear that the survey’s findings were no surprise.
Barking and Dagenham has officially been named the least happy place to live in Greater London , according to a new survey by Rightmove
The borough, which has seen a rise in crime , rising living costs, and a decline in local amenities, ranked 33rd out of 33 London boroughs in terms of resident satisfaction. Pictured: empty canisters of laughing gas on the street
Rubbish was strewn across the streets in the London borough.
Jennifer McKenna, 68, a retired resident who has lived in Barking since 1984, boldly claimed: ‘There are no pros to living here’
Jennifer McKenna, 68, a retired resident who has lived in Barking since 1984, did not hold back in her bleak assessment of the area.
‘There are no pros to living here,’ she said, ‘they’re building too many flats, there’s nothing to do, the shops have all disappeared – you name it.
‘This place is a shambles. The council isn’t doing anything to improve things, especially for teenagers. Once it starts getting dark, I don’t go out. People are drinking, and it’s not safe. I wouldn’t advise anyone to move here.’
The closure of once-popular stores has also left the area feeling neglected, according to Jennifer.
‘When I first came here, we had proper shops like Marks & Spencers and C&A. They’re all gone now.
‘The shopping centre is a ghost town. This place is just horrible. I’d rather live on the moon than stay here.’
Local safety concerns also rank high among residents. Andy Ransby, 51, who is unemployed and relies on benefits, spoke about the prevalence of crime in the area.
‘I’ve got good neighbours, but other than that, I don’t like the amount of litter left at the corners.
‘There’s a lot of shoplifting, and I see police cars around all the time. Me and my wife have almost been run over several times on zebra crossings [from dangerous drivers].’
Andy Ransby, 51, who is unemployed and relies on benefits, spoke about the prevalence of crime in the area
Police officers stop and search individuals
Shops have been left empty and derelict in the area. The overall crime rate in Barking and Dagenham in 2023 was 122 crimes per 1,000 people, which is 19 per cent higher than the average for the rest of London
People had left things they no longer wanted in the street.
Sharmin, a 31-year-old NHS worker and mother-of-two, shares similar sentiments to Andy, particularly around safety
The overall crime rate in Barking and Dagenham in 2023 was 122 crimes per 1,000 people, which is 19 per cent higher than the average for the rest of London.
On top of this for England, Wales, and Northern Ireland as a whole, Barking and Dagenham is among the top 20 most dangerous cities.
Sharmin, a 31-year-old NHS worker and mother-of-two, shares similar sentiments to Andy, particularly around safety.
‘I can’t walk on the streets at night by myself; I don’t feel safe. My car was stolen not too long ago, and I wouldn’t wear expensive things around here.
She continued: ‘It’s getting more expensive to live here, and it’s already tough economically. Everything is just going up.’
Another local, Sabah, 35, a banker on maternity leave, echoed the worries about crime and rising costs.
‘I haven’t faced anything too serious in terms of crime, but I definitely don’t go out after dark by myself.’
Crime rate reported in January 2024 that Barking and Dagenham had the worst crime rate in London for violence and sexual offences, with 643 crimes reported in one month.
She added: ‘There are no real opportunities here. It would be great if big stores like M&S or Next would come to the area.
‘The homeless problem around the station is also noticeable. Even though rent might seem cheaper than in other parts of London, the cost of living is still very high.’
The report also highlighted the role of a strong sense of community in contributing to happiness in an area, but this seems lacking in Barking and Dagenham.
Local, Sabah, 35, a banker on maternity leave, echoed the worries about crime as she said: ‘I definitely don’t go out after dark by myself’
Graffiti could be spotted on multiple buildings in the area
A women begging in Dagenham
Kousik Maity, 22, a student living in the area, appreciates its affordability and convenience
Shisir Shaki, 40, who works at the local McDonald’s,claims he is very happy in the area because that is where his family is
Vincent Gallante, 30, a pawnbroker who has lived in the area for 23 years, shared his frustrations:’Crime has risen, drugs are [more prevalent], and homelessness is up.
‘The council isn’t doing enough to tackle it. Fly-tipping is also a huge problem. It’s far too expensive here, too.
‘They’re building new homes and charging £1,500 a month for a one-bedroom flat. That’s extortionate. I’m in my 30s, struggling to rent, and yet the crime keeps getting worse.’
While these comments paint a grim picture, some residents still manage to find positives.
Kousik Maity, 22, a student living in the area, appreciates its affordability and convenience: ‘I chose Barking because everything is nearby – the station, the bus stop, and the university. It’s also affordable, and the people are friendly.
‘They really help each other and make newcomers feel welcome.’
Shisir Shaki, 40, who works at the local McDonald’s, agrees with Kousik’s positive take: ‘I’m happy here.
‘My family is nearby, and everything is very close. It takes me just a few minutes to get to work. The people are nice, and it’s easy to make new friends. The only downside is how expensive rent and shopping are.’
