Who cares?

Added on 1 Oct 2009 by Editor

There has been a remarkable transformation of Liverpool since I arrived here 20 years ago.

Property regeneration is an obvious manifestation of that change with Liverpool One, The Arena, hotels, offices and apartments leading the way. But to me one of the most striking changes is the feeling of safety in a city that once upon a time did have a bit of a problem with car crime and petty theft.

I can't remember the last time I heard of someone having a car broken into and thanks to an high profile presence, the boys (and girls) in blue seem to have cleared up much of the unpleasant vagrant and wino issue that blighted the city centre. We were visited at our office by two community police officers last week who wanted to know if we had any issues that they could help with – it seems they've done such a good job that they now have to go out of their way to keep busy. I also note there's a very overt presence in and around Liverpool One with spot searches of dodgy looking young chaps – I assume for knives.

This zero tolerance approach has to be good for Liverpool. Whilst I have never felt threatened here, there is still a residual misconception of a city with a crime problem. That needs to be nailed and nailed with good solid evidence that those who market the city can shout about.

But, and a very large but. The one thing that hasn't changed much in those twenty years is the state of streets in and around the city centre. Vomit, half eaten food, empty drinks bottles and cans, grease, chewing gum, litter, cigarette ends and other detritus still mark most pavements and roads outside the prime commercial core.

The picture above stands as a stark reminder that you are leaving the filth of Liverpool behind and entering the surreally clean world of Liverpool One. Cleaning appears haphazard and random – but I assume we all pay for it whether it happens or not. Until the city can get on top of its basic housekeeping the perception will remain that this is a city that simply doesn't care.

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