The ‘neglected’ North London high street plagued by phone snatchings, shoplifting and knife crime
“You cycle five minutes either side of Kilburn High Road and the area completely changes. We’ve been forgotten.” Omri Chetrit has run Folkies Music, a instrument store and repair workshop, since 2008. He’s a respected luthier, entrusted by stars such as Matty Healy, frontman of The 1975, and The Pretenders legend Chrissy Hynde, who come to him from across London. But these days, the 47-year-old finds himself becoming increasingly interrupted by crime right outside the well-established business. This is a sentiment shared along the high street, with residents complaining of constant phone snatchings, shop raids and stabbings. “I’ve seen three people robbed with my own eyes in the last few months,” Omri said, pointing at a bus stop opposite his shop, “These guys on scooters or electric motorbikes go on the pavement and then speed off. “If it’s not that, it’s Tesco staff getting abused and shoplifted from or drug addicts milling around. It’s happening on a daily basis.” Despite some concerns, Omri and staff members Thomas and Omer all love the ‘vibrancy’ of Kilburn …
