Charlene Downes, who disappeared in Blackpool. Website for this image
Blackpool is the UK's top seaside resort, and it is a down-market, sleazy dump, with a high crime rate.
Blackpool is home to about 800 sex offenders, proportionately more than anywhere else in the country, according to local police.
Blackpool has the highest level of alcohol-related mortality in England, levels of domestic violence at twice the national average and the highest proportion of heroin and crack addicts in northwest England.
Paige Chivers disappeared in Blackpool.
Charlene Downes (14) disappeared in 2003 and is presumed dead.
Paige Chivers (15) went missing in 2007 and is also presumed dead.
The two girls were linked to alleged sexual grooming and exploitation focussed upon fast food outlets in Blackpool.
In Blackpool, reports that a group of men groomed more than 60 teenage girls for sex were kept secret by police.
(Police 'hid' abuse of 60 girls.7 April 2011)
"An unpublicised police report produced after 14-year-old Charlene Downes vanished in 2003 found the girls, most if not all white, had been victims of the ‘honey pot’ premises."
Many of Blackpool's streets are "blighted by empty shop and offices."
Blackpool's Lord Street is one of many Blackpool locations where gay men come to 'cruise'.
The two girls were linked to alleged sexual grooming and exploitation focussed upon fast food outlets in Blackpool.
In Blackpool, reports that a group of men groomed more than 60 teenage girls for sex were kept secret by police.
(Police 'hid' abuse of 60 girls.7 April 2011)
"An unpublicised police report produced after 14-year-old Charlene Downes vanished in 2003 found the girls, most if not all white, had been victims of the ‘honey pot’ premises."
But Blackpool's sleazy and sometimes violent red light districts are booming.
One particular street has five massage parlours.
Single mums find the 'easy cash' the "best option to feed and clothe children" and "fund drug and drink habits."
One Blackpool prostitute's throat was slashed by a client who launched an attack while they were in bed together. (Stabbed, but worth it)
One Blackpool prostitute's throat was slashed by a client who launched an attack while they were in bed together. (Stabbed, but worth it)
Blackpool's Lord Street is one of many Blackpool locations where gay men come to 'cruise'.
Starbucks cafe at Blackpool's Houndshill Shopping Centre reportedly has gay 'muscle guys'.
On Blackpool's North Shore, Asda's toilets are reportedly of interest to certain gay men....
Blackpool: Traveller Reviews - TripAdvisor: -
"Blackpool... awful stag and hen parties, swearing, half naked drunken women...
"No where much for a family to go; lots of shows with adult content."
Blackpool is the unhappiest town in the UK
Blackpool named as the unhappiest town in Britain - Mirror
South Shore in Blackpool has the lowest male life expectancy in England.
BBC News - 'poorest' in England
In Blackpool, "You pass boarded-up shops and horrible bars; garish rock and candy-floss stores (even the candy-floss comes pre-made in plastic bags these days); pound shops, burger bars and tanning centres; and the Eden Club, 'Blackpool's premier lapdancing club' (though others vie for this title)..."
"There are teenage parents everywhere, too many holding cans of alcohol."
"There are teenage parents everywhere, too many holding cans of alcohol."
"It has to be said that blackpool's decline is its own making the town has been ripping people off for years with rubbish hotels, violent nightlife, poor food and services."
"We all know that Blackpool Council are a bunch of freeloaders who enjoy expenses and jollies to other places ie Las Vegas. Town centre management couldnt run a bath let alone a town of nearly 200,000 locals. Hoever nows your chance to buy a 17 or more bedroom ex Hotel with bar for less then £60,000 !"
Blackpool by Maciej Dakowicz
"I have also been saddened by the state of Blackpool in recent years when I have been over from Italy. It is no longer safe even during the day. Fights, verbal abuse, drunks and drug users are everywhere."
"I used to work in Blackpool, and oh my God why must people kid themselves about it being 'the UK's premier resort'? It's a dive; a hideous pit of a town with grey skies, grey people..."
BBC - Lancashire - Features - Blackpool loses out to Manchester
"The ruination of all public services in this town has been at the behest of corrupt local politicians and freemasons"
"Blackpool optimises everything that is bad about the English. It's naff, ugly, uncultured and full of thick, ignorant louts and dirty cheap slappers. I don't think I've ever seen so many shell suits, nasty jewelry and smackheads in my entire life. Bomb it!"
Blackpool, Lancashire, The Worst Things
