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I'm not saying nothing should be done, just asking if this really is the most pressing issue that the country - or even the police - faces (given its prominent treatment in the media and the rush to "do something" about it.

Don't put words in my mouth, please.

In the long run, we're all dead. John Maynard Keynes

by Jerome a Paris (jeromeguillet@yahoo.fr) on Sun Jul 6th, 2008 at 07:23:24 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Well, from a London-wide police perspective, I would say it is a very serious issue.
The term "postcode wars" refers to a modern day phenomenon that make some estates no-go areas for Islington youths. For feuding gang members, stepping over the "front line" between N1 and E8 can mean death. Numerous killings, including the 2005 murder of Essayas Kassahun in Old Street, have been linked to the phenomenon.

Ms Woolcock said: "This is not something hyped up by the media. It is very real and happening every day. They have their own language and there are signs for each postcode area. It is very dangerous for young men to be caught in the wrong place."

She will be "in conversation" with Nicola Abel-Hirsch of the British Psychoanalytical Society tonight.

It's not only an Islington phenomenon, I live near the intersection of E10, E11 and E15 and the "postcode wars" are apparently an important part of the teenage experience here. I have heard that organised crime is partly behind youth gangs. Using the postcode to build identification and division in this way is particularly insidious.

When the capital development of a country becomes a by-product of the activities of a casino, the job is likely to be ill-done. — John M. Keynes
by Migeru (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Tue Jul 8th, 2008 at 07:55:25 AM EST
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