Riots broke out over all across London and parts of the UK last night – including Ealing where I live.
I was on Beat Breakfast and Today FM this morning talking about what was happening.
When the riots starting four days ago in Tottenham, North London I never thought they would spread out West to where I live.
Colleagues in work yesterday were advised to leave early if they lived in the Hackney area as more riots broke out in the afternoon. I went to the gym oblivious to how bad the riots were escalated. By the time I got home at 8pm the news was showing images of Croyden and Clapham Junction (an area where a lot of my Irish friends live).
At around 11.30pm I saw a tweet from the BBC saying Ealing Broadway was now being looted (ten mins from my house). Reports that the main shopping centre was on fire spread on Twitter – videos showing looters kicking in windows circulated on YouTube. The two boys I live with decided to walk down to where the riots were happening – ten minutes from my house –definitely something not encouraged. Police were advising people to stay in their homes and not to go and watch (as you could very easily get caught up in the violence). So there I was – on my own in the apartment with sirens and shouting in the distance.
Luckily I live in a residential enough part of Ealing – with no shops on my street – so I was hopeful the riots wouldn’t make it to my street. At that hour of the night you’re brain works over-time, I was convinced at one stage that someone starting up their car was someone shaking the front doors of my building. Funnily looking around my room the only thing I thought was ‘Oh, my hair straightens is my only weapon’.
The roomies text to say the 24-hour garage, five minutes from our house had been looted – at that stage it was hard to tell if they were leaving Ealing or coming up closer to my house where there were a few little shops and a hotel.
There were reports on Twitter that looters in Ealing were now taking things to the next level and breaking into houses. This was possibly the scariest thought. Every noise I hear had me convinced that the looters were outside or apartment. I turned off the TV and lights in the living room – thinking that the big TV we have could attract attention – paranoia set in!
The sound of helicopters and sirens filled the air and it was hard to tell at times which direction they were headed. At times I thought they were basically in my back yard. I was glued to Twitter – checking updates as to what was going on in Ealing as the news on TV (which I was now to scared to watch!) was focused on Clapham and Croyden for the most part.
By 1.30 ish the roommates came home – so felt better knowing I wasn’t alone in the apartment. I was so tired for ages but didn’t want to go to sleep in case the riots moved closer to where I was.
It was about 2.30am or 3am when the noise died down and I was finally able to get to sleep. Long night – absolutely wrecked in work today. Hoping there won’t be any other riots tonight – although something major has to be done to stop this happening in future.
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