Crime? You’re kidding!

Brits poke fun at New York Times plea for tales of London lawbreaking

WHEN the New York Times appealed for tales of woe from anyone who had experienced crime in London, the response was probably not what the newspaper was expecting.

Scores replied with tales of incidents including ... awkward eye contact with strangers, breaches of queueing etiquette, and standing on the wrong side of the escalator on the Tube.

Others shared their distress about accidentally bumping into people, or tea being made incorrectly.

Emma Rowley, an author, was even brave enough to admit: ‘Yesterday someone trod on the back of my shoe and didn’t say sorry until I gave her a LOOK.’

The comments came in reply to a tweet by Ceylan Yeginsu, a London-based New York Times reporter. She wrote: ‘ Have you experienced a petty crime in London? Click to tell us your story.’

It was linked to a story which said that a ‘surge in violent crime in London has exacerbated a decade of service cuts under the Government’s austerity drive, leaving the city’s Metropolitan Police severely stretched and unable to pursue most suspects involved in minor property crimes’.

She wrote that she had her own experience of crime when her flat was burgled two months ago.

The gently mocking responses will be no surprise to anyone familiar with the British sense of humour.

Many referred to the high cost of living, such as one which read: ‘I paid £5.70 for a pint and the barman called me mate. If he was my mate he wouldn’t charge me £5.70 for a pint.’ Josh Hardie, deputy director general of the CBI, wrote: ‘I went out and it was really cold so I wore a coat and jumper. But in the shops and on the Tube I got a bit hot. Nobody helped.’

Twitter user Trent of Trunkman wrote: ‘Accidentally, very lightly bumped someone while walking and said, “Ooh sorry”, and they said, “No problem” instead of also profusely apologising. Had them arrested immediately.’

And Tom Parker Bowles, son of the Duchess of Cornwall, wrote: ‘Some fella was standing on the left hand side of the down escalators at Shepherd’s Bush today. I tutted VERY loudly as I passed.’

Earlier this year the New York Times claimed Prescot in Merseyside had been ravaged by Whitehall austerity policies. In fact the town had recently opened a £16million leisure centre and a £5.3million police and fire station.

Nobody for the New York Times was available for comment.