ABSTRACT
The slum group selected is living in an area known to social workers and police as one of the worst slums in London. The area lies close behind one of the main line stations and borders an important, extremely busy arterial road and a canal. Like many of the overcrowded areas outside the East End, this one is bordered by, and penetrates into, blocks of houses and flats which are the homes of the moderately wealthy. The West End is one of its closest neighbours. At one time in the history of London it was a fashionable residential quarter; the streets are wide, often tree-lined and curved in fine crescents. The buildings themselves are well-proportioned, with impressive entrances and much window space. Today, however, there are obvious signs of dilapidation, neglect, and poverty. Paint is peeling off woodwork and pillars, the stone or brick work is dull and grimy with the dirt of many years’ road and rail traffic. Steps are crumbling and cracking and windows are hung with sagging, not always clean, curtains, while many windows are completely bricked or boarded up. The few square feet of earth which are before some of the street doors have long since ceased to be gardens, giving up the losing fight against children, dogs, and neglect. Those houses which have dustbins display them prominently. Most of the area has been condemned and there are a number of empty, bomb-damaged houses. All about the streets are children—whether it is a school day or a holiday there always seem to be children playing in the road or going to and fro with shopping baskets and ration books. Women and a few men stand in doorways or sit on the house steps; and everywhere there are dogs.
