The UK city home to ‘zombie zone’ plagued by people ‘injecting themselves in the

A busy London tourist hotspot where four men were allegedly stabbed in the back with scissors is plagued by shoplifters, drugs and vandals, locals say. Covent Garden is the West End‘s shopping hub, home to the Royal Opera House and a lively open air Piazza where street performers draw crowds of admirers.

But visitors and locals were left in shock when the renowned neighbourhood was the scene of an alleged attack a week ago today (Wednesday, August 12) when a woman allegedly attacked Patrick De Barr, Thomas Harding, Adrian Lovett and Mantas Jankus. The area has since been dubbed a “zombie zone” due to the number of people high on drugs along its streets.

Days after the incident, some workers in Endell Street appeared disturbed at what happened, but not surprised.

An assistant manager manning the till at an independent shop, who asked not to be named, said crime has been a problem in the area for at least 10 years.

He described seeing teenagers taking cocaine on the street in broad daylight, adding: “It happens every day and nobody really cares. Central London is a hotspot. People get drunk and high.”

The 26-year-old retail worker said he stops shoplifters every week, saying most are teenage girls.

A security guard manning the door at another shop in Endell Street estimated he sees up to 50 cases of shoplifting a day.

The 51-year-old, who also did not want to be named, said he regularly tackles brazen thieves who enter the store, pick up food or drink, try to consume it on the shopfloor then attempt to leave without paying.

When the Daily Express visited on Monday, the guard had just escorted outside a would-be shoplifter, who eyeballed him as he made a lewd gesture.

Ros Tovz owns vintage clothing boutique, Blackout II. She described once seeing a drug addict injecting themself in the groin in the street outside her shop.

The businesswoman said: “I actually think it’s a bit calmer now. Years ago they were up and down the street taking food from people’s plates eating at restaurants.”

Ms Tovz said she did not feel reassured by a recent increase in police patrolling the area after two men used a mannequin stood outside her shop to smash the window.

She said that despite having the details of two witnesses, her case was not taken up by the police, adding: “They didn’t want to deal with it.

“If anything happens again, I’m not calling them. Police are up and down here all the time now. It doesn’t reassure me.”

Personal stylist, Hannah Harvey, said the incident last week was horrible, but rare.

Ch Supt Jason Stewart, who leads policing in the area, said: “We understand the community concern and recognise there is always more to do to tackle neighbourhood crime in Camden.”

He said after last week’s incident the Scotland Yard can reassure the community Camden Neighbourhood Policing Team has stepped up patrols.

Mr Stewart added: “Our local policing approach focuses relentlessly on solving issues that matter to people who live and work in Camden, including antisocial behaviour and shoplifting.

“We have recently seen a reduction of almost a quarter in neighbourhood crime in Camden, thanks in part to our patrols of hotspot areas and intelligence-led operations.”

He said the force continues to work closely with local partners and encouraged anyone who would like to report a non-urgent crime to call police on 101.

Stella Gollovena, 47, has been charged with four counts of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and one count of possession of an offensive weapon, a pair of scissors, in a public place.

Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court heard police were “flagged down” in Endell Street at about 12.25pm by one of the injured men.

They suffered stab wounds and were taken to hospital, but their injuries were not deemed life-threatening or life-changing.