British MP Frank Field is fed up with anti-social behavior plaguing his constituents in the coastal town of Birkenhead.
“I’ve never been so sick with worry as I am now in that, all the different agencies which have budgets to counter anti-social behavior and worse – because there’s lots of criminal activity behind that phrase – seem unable to rise to the occasion.”
He goes further to say that…
…Birkenhead is becoming “like Beirut” in terms of anti-social behavior.
You wouldn’t be surprised to learn that this is not the first time Beirut has been used to describe anti-social behavior in UK towns and cities. So I’ve decided to help Frank out with a few better comparisons closer to his home:
- Birkenhead is becoming like Thanington
- Birkenhead is becoming like Garndolbenmaen
- Birkenhead is becoming like Dungannon
- Birkenhead is becoming like Cefn Fforest
- Birkenhead is becoming like Bonymaen
- Birkenhead is becoming like Blackpool
- Birkenhead is becoming like Calcot
- Birkenhead is becoming like Kirkby
- Birkenhead is becoming like South Elmsall
Is anyone else seeing a pattern here? UK towns have been comparing anti-social behavior within their borders to Beirut when in fact they should be looking a little closer to home. Actually, Frank only needs to travel 6km across the River Mersey to Anfield estate in Liverpool where Tony Banks encountered yob violence he described as being “like Beirut”.
The BBC article that I got Frank’s quotes from also includes additional information to help readers understand the Beirut comparison. In the caption of the screenshot below, the BBC explains that…
…Beirut became a by-word for urban decay after damage it sustained in the Lebanese Civil War in the 1970s and 80s.
BBC goes on to further explain that…
…Parts of Birkenhead have been called a ‘Beirut of the north’
Tracking looks like Beirut across the World
As the map shows, there are many Beirut of the north and I will continue to add them to my Google Maps. I’ve sent dozens of “Looks Like Beirut” certificates over the years and Frank will be no exception. Hoping that I hear back from him.