Forum Topic

Drunk Problem in Acton.

Collapsed in the street, drunk as a skunk, abusive, threatening, is this shape of things to come.  For the persons own safety I contacted the police, who sent a rapid response ambulance, closely followed by the regular ambulance.  The crews tried to aid the person, who became abusive, at this point the police became involved,(car and van.)Are these drinkers such a problem that so many of the emergency services have to deal with them?  Time to ban cheap booze and, enforce tighter controls.  Pics to follow.

Nicola Howard ● 5299d15 Comments

Nicola Howard ● 5299d

Horrid.But I think LESS common in Acton recently than it has been.The police and the drink free area have helped a bit.Price rises are the only thing that would be really effective.

Sara Nathan ● 5299d

Or stop shops selling to drunks/drinkers.

Nicola Howard ● 5298d

And I see that the Redback is now back in operation.

Nina Battleday ● 5298d

Is it?As what?

Sara Nathan ● 5298d

Looked very similar to the old version to me - advertising discos etc

Nina Battleday ● 5298d

That's at the bottom of Grafton Road j/w Horn Lane - a short walk from shops from which to buy another bottle!  I wonder what the cost was to engage all the agencies involved?

Dee Cook ● 5298d

Saw the guy some 20 mins later, with a bottle of whiskey sticking out of his pocket.  Had been drinking cider earlier.  He was staggering down Horn Lane.  The next time he is so intoxicated, I hope he doesn't decide to block my front gate again.

Nicola Howard ● 5298d

That thought crossed my mind too, Doris!

Sara Nathan ● 5298d

Outside the BP Petrol Station in Horn Lane on Thursday afternoon my husband said a man was staggering about outside the BP shop, trousers right down to his ankles, he just had a singlet on - otherwise NAKED!!! Obviously under the influence of alcohol or drugs!No idea what happened afterwards but apparently he was in an awful state. Quite a few passers by were watching - I wonder if there are any updates?

Jean F Fernandez ● 5298d

Hi Nicola.  We do have a problem with alcohol (and drugs) in Acton (and in the UK I think) and it doesn't help that shops sell drink at loss-leader prices.  In fact, if we refused to shop at such shops ourselves as a protest, they may get the message.  Are the government supposed to be doing something about this?However, I think I'm really torn about you posting photos of this unfortunate man on the forum as I see it two-ways:  yes, he's not only a nuisance and a danger to traffic, others, himself and he's costing the earth to rescue with Police/medical services, but he's clearly got a problem and my heart goes out to him.  I'm sure whatever drives him to drink like this is fuelled not just by alcohol but shame and other unbearable emotions.  We should have some empathy, even if we don't wish to tolerate the behaviour.  Those are my humble thoughts.  I have no answers (well, I probably do, but that's for another time!)  I realise you're a photo-journalist and thank you for the item but I'm really not sure it's allowing this man any dignity when he so clearly lacks self-dignity.  I might be wrong.

Angela White ● 5298d

Point taken.  I was a little concerned that he may have had other problems (medical/health.)  I only took the photos when he became abusive and threatening, to the Emergency Services.  I did not appreciate the fact that he had to be restrained against my car.In fact, if we refused to shop at such shops ourselves as a protest, they may get the message.These are the shops that open at 9 or 10am and close at 11pm.  As Dee pointed out, junction of Grafton and Horn, there are two shops in close proximity  selling alcohol, one to the left and the other to the right, both with special deals.

Nicola Howard ● 5297d

Nina, I don't think the posters on the Redback were taken down when it closed, so maybe it's not back in operation.

Amanda Knights ● 5297d

No, I too would have been unhappy if he was against my car.  Stop buying goods from these shops.  Let our feet do the talking or walking, as it were.

Angela White ● 5297d

Dont buy from them anyhow - but do shop at Morrisons where the drink is cheaper than anywhere else for miles. Astonishingly you dont see the overtly drunk in there - never sure why not seeing as "drunk for a penny, dead drunk for twopence" seems to be the store's motto

Sara Nathan ● 5297d