There was a helicopter overhead for ages this afternoon - I thought it was to do with the Sarko visit, but it might have had something to do with that.

"popular shopping street". what was the last thing you bought off blackstock road (that wasn't from good for food)?

Lordy indeed.

But you always had the suspicion that there were far too many shops doing not enough business at that end of the street.

I wonder if that will be a turning point for Blackstock Road?

Well, the weather was nice for it.

It's probably St Thomas' Road - the Mosque one.

Very discreet - you can barely see them.

I don't believe it.

It's never happened before.

Colette's done a typo.

http://www.gcse.com/english/discreet.htm

Sum handee hintz

That police photo is today's Guardian double-page photo.

This comment is on the Standard site:

As a resident of the area I'm delighted that the police have taken the level of crime here so seriously at last. Every single female neighbour that I know has been mugged and had her handbag stolen in or around Blackstock Road in recent years. The atmosphere at certain times of day feels very menacing for single females, and many friends avoid walking along this street because they feel so threatened. Altogether the theft and gang violence -stabbings etc -have blighted an otherwise excellent place to live.

Stabbings? Gang violence? I didn't know we lived in The Wire.

They often have one of those yellow police boards on the street. I'm not sure how good of an indication that is of the overall crime rate, but it definitely makes people feel less safe.

I don't feel unsafe walking down the street, but it's not exactly pleasant. There are always groups of men standing around on the pavement, and they're not particularly accommodating when you want to pass.

@ rainbow carnage, I find a good firm stare usually works to make them move out of your way. Or try French, that surprises them into moving out of the way...

My first girlfriend after I moved to London had a nervous breakdown whilst living on Blackstock Road. Thankfully, before she met me. And then left me for a guy she worked with.

Bitter? Me? Never!

Hello everyone, I am a new member, a long term but silent fan of the site, and a friend of Colette's from university. I'm actually from the other side of the tracks, on the south side of the tube, so this Blackstock Rd thing has been pretty interesting. I agree that the coverage has been rather hyperbolic. I go down that road all the time at night, and although it can be a bit unpleasant sometimes, it's hardly downtown Detroit. Still, I have hope now that some of the crappier shops might shut down and be replaced by nicer places.

Only one or two shops seem to be closed at the moment. It does feel a bit different: far fewer people just milling around outside the shops. Several of the shops have had signs advertising a meeting for the Algerian community (yesterday, I think) in the mosque, to talk about the future of the community. I have no idea if the tone will have been 'we must sort this out' or 'the police were very heavy-handed'. Meanwhile, the police have put a number of signs up on lamposts detailing the dispersal orders that they will now be able to give out to stop people hanging around in groups. It does pose a challenge to my liberal instincts: I really don't think it's right to stop people hanging around if they're not doing anything illegal or intimidating, but I have to admit that I wouldn't mind the place being a bit more like SGR!

The trade between civil liberties and gentrification......

On another note, I now have no idea where to go to buy my fake passports. Any ideas?

Hi Ben. It's about time.

Surely the police can't actually stop people doing pointless milling and eating baclava can they?