A Queensbridge councillor has branded London businessmen “disgusting” after reports that they travel to Hackney to buy drugs.
“I’m told that people from the City turn up in cabs to buy bags of coke,” said Cllr Tom Price. “The idea of rich businessmen from West London being blind to the social problems is disgusting. It is unhealthy, unattractive and it makes me genuinely angry.”
High numbers of drug crimes in an area is often connected to deep seated social problems, such as gang violence or poverty, both of which are considered major issues in Hackney.
Figures released by the Metropolitan Police show that the number of drug-dealing offences in the borough this September was 16 times higher than the London average.
Mr Price believes that the situation is improving, but that people from outside Hackney are not helping.
“There are people who take recreational drugs, but wouldn’t dream of buying a cup of coffee if it wasn’t ethically sourced. If you wouldn’t do it with coffee then why do it with drugs?”
Queensbridge has seen an outbreak of violence lately, with three shootings of gang members in one week last month.
