Coventry gripped by fear as drug gangs escalate violence

Drug gangs are terrorizing the residents of Coventry, an English city. Residents say they are afraid to leave their homes after dark. "I try and forget the horrible things going on around me but it is not easy," says one city resident in an interview with the "Daily Mail."

Coventry is a city located in the county of West Midlands, which in the 20th century was an industrial powerhouse. Today, it is one of the most dangerous places in the United Kingdom, and even in all of Europe. Residents say they are afraid to leave their homes after dark because of the gangs roaming the streets of Coventry.

- We are grateful for a new beginning but feel sad it is in Coventry. There is too much crime, lots of threatening gangs and fights everywhere. The UK is safer than Afghanistan, of course, but where we live and work feels very unsafe at times. It is scary," says an 18-year-old Afghan to the "Daily Mail," who came to the United Kingdom four years ago to start a new life.

- I like the UK but I don’t like Coventry. I hate it! - emphasizes the teenager, who lives in the infamous Hillfields area, which has become a mix of different cultures.

Life can be brutal here and at times it is very dangerous. I've been attacked on the streets here and I never feel safe - said a 57-year-old Pole, an unemployed chef, to "DM". - I live here because I have no choice.

Another Pole, Artur, who once worked in a warehouse, now lives off government benefits. He told the "Daily Mail": The streets are full of criminals and working girls and you try to ignore it."

In October of last year, a gang of eight men armed with knives, among other things, attacked a teenager in front of witnesses, inflicting multiple stab wounds. The shocking scenes were recorded by city surveillance cameras. The gang members, aged 19 to 21, were arrested and sentenced to a total of over 75 years in prison.

Twenty-three-year-old Marley Severs, quoted by "Daily Mail," admitted that during her stay in the city, she witnessed a series of crimes, including muggings and thefts. Other Coventry residents say the same. They agree that the situation has worsened in recent years. Interestingly, even a former gang member says the same thing.

There was a lot of crime in Coventry but a lot of things didn't get reported (...) Things have changed now, the gangs have a divided communities and made the communities scared and they can't even speak out when something goes wrong anymore. (...) Now, neighbours don't look out for each other now. If their house gets smashed, they don't want to say anything because they are too scared of the consequences if they open the mouth to the police - claims the "Daily Mail" interlocutor.

City residents complain about police sluggishness. A cell phone shop owner told the "Daily Mail" that in recent years his shop has been robbed at least four times, and "the police did absolutely nothing." The man invested in a large safe and burglar-proof windows.

It used to be a very good area with schools and a city college but it has gone downhill over the years. It is absolutely awful - complains the man.