Mahendra Kumari
We were working as a neighbourhood watch

Just recently they have tried to break in and the cops know who are doing this sort of thing. I’ve been telling the cops and the cops aren’t doing anything. We witnessed people breaking in to others’ property.

We’ve been called “Al Qaeda” and things like that. I don’t blame anybody but because of what is happening in today’s world, the paramount thing is security. It wouldn’t matter if you haven’t got decent food for dinner on the table but security is paramount. So we are very, very vigilant. Always has to be someone here.

I’m a Hindu by religion. I believe you should live like a family. We were working as a neighbourhood watch. So if he [my neighbour] goes somewhere it’s my duty to see that his house is protected. His family is looked after. But now he is gone.

We don’t live for tomorrow, we live for today. You don’t know what’s going to happen tomorrow. Watching the news, 55 died in a fire in Vietnam in Ho Chi Minh City. They say it was a place where international people do business from, a trade centre. That’s the way the world is.

I was thinking of moving out to Liverpool. Then I get into a problem… with Chris’s [my daughter’s] school because she is already at pre-school and it would mean disruptions.

The worst thing is, I’ve got none of my relatives here. I am the only one. My ex-wife has got some, but the relations are broken so there is no one to look after her (she is very ill). So that’s why every couple of days I am running back and forth.

Someone tried to break in [to my house]. I don’t know when, probably three or four days ago. It’s very easy as you can see. I don’t know if the Housing Department has somebody to see to the security of the residents. It’s easy for these young kids that are doing all the damage. They just do it and quickly run away. One day I chased one a fair bit away. I can’t do that these days.