Britain's unhappiest town has locals too scared to go out at night

07 December 2023 , 10:31

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Boris Johnson's former constituency of Uxbridge is one of the areas amongst the unhappiest in the UK (Image: In Pictures via Getty Images)

The "unhappiest town" in the whole of Britain has been revealed with locals who live there admitting the area is plagued with gang violence and anti-social behaviour.

Hillingdon, a west London borough that homes Hayes and Harlington, Ruislip-Northwood, Uxbridge, and Yiewsley and West Drayton, came in last place in Rightmove's Happy at Home annual index. The survey asked more than 26,000 people for their opinions on the area they live in and looked at factors including community spirit, nature, transport and local services.

Some residents in Hillingdon have admitted they don’t want to leave their houses at night because they’re worried about crime and the streets are riddled with pickpockets. But others have insisted the area is much better than the index gave them credit for and has a good community spirit and amenities.

Hillingdon came out in last place, but not all locals agreed with its position (Maureen McLean/REX/Shutterstock)

Malcolm John Innes, 74, who has lived in Uxbridge for more than three decades, told Mail Online: “The crime rate here is pretty bad. It's pretty rough in many of the town centres, and there are pickpockets, beggars and gangs around. I certainly would not go out here at night.”

The borough, which has an average house price of £483,556 and was home to James Cordon as the comedian grew up, has fans too. Other locals claimed they thought it was “bonkers” to see their home town in last place as it’s “really homely” and has “every kind of shop you might need”. Whilst the Rightmove Happy at Home index saw Hillingdon come out in last place, it wasn’t bad news for all London boroughs and across the capital Richmond-upon-Thames clinched the spot for the happiest place in the UK.

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Dawn Platt, Associate Director of Chestertons’ Richmond branch, says: “Richmond really has got it all. Access to nature, schools, entertainment, good eateries, bars and shops. On top of access to nature, schools, entertainment, good eateries, bars and shops, the borough benefits from a riverside location and great transport links.”

Jake Loader