Local junkies: The key players

New to this blog? Here is a recap of the key junkies seen hustling every day around Westbourne Grove/Queensway. Names have been assigned to them, simply so can I remember who is who, and report it here, they are not real names.

Sta
Caucasian, probably late 20's, circa 6'-6'2", black unkempt straight hair - sticking out in all directions at times, other times matted down. Slightly receding at the front. He has a long thin face and long nose to match, and has a rather haunted or startled look, though with his hair matted down he can look more lucid. Usually in dark scruffy clothes. Favours begging outside Tesco Queensway and the HSBC near the park. Often sits with his hands in the prayer position.

Dod
Appeared quite recently, but has been very active. Caucasian, maybe 5'8", with dirty blonde hair in a pony tail, and a black and yellow head band. Has a really messed up face, it has clearly been kicked in severely a few times. Maybe late 20's/early 30's, hard to tell. Usually seen either holding a drink cup and actively approaching people begging, or wondering to and fro drinking from a can of cider. As he walks he usually weaves or dodders around. He has an indistinguishable regional accent and a weak child like voice. He is quite persistant in approaching people, and anyone who gives him money, will be pressed to give him more.

Ali
Ali is a fixture in dealing/using in the area. He has been dealing crack and actively thieving from local shops for at least a decade. He is Algerian, maybe 5'8", late 20's, short dark loosely curly hair. He walks with a slight limp and has a hooked nose. Usually reasonably smartly dressed. He is known to the most local shopkeepers and the police, which is not surprising, as I expect he is responsible for a good proportion of the shoplifting and purse theft in W2/W11. He is an alert guy, and bright eyed. I've seen him trying to walk into shops to steal, he doesn't necessarily visibly look like a junkie, though his behaviour patterns do, but he is just too well known, and security are usually right onto him once he has a foot through the door. Usually seen constantly walking to and fro and at great haste around Queensway, and down Westbourne Grove.

Jim
He looks a bit like Jim Morrison, about 6' caucasian, thick short dark straight hair, and a thick beard and moustache. The beard and moustache are funny in a way, neatly cropped to about 1/2" long, but they almost look like they could have been put on as a disguise, it looks somehow unnatural. He is gaunt, and has pale waxy skin. He wears a long scruffy green Macintish type overcoat. He is often seen begging outside Tesco Queensway, or thieving from local shops. I've seen him picking up a 'Needle Exchange' pack from a local chemist.

Col
He is about 5’10” with short dark hair, caucasian. He often has a few days stubble, but generally looks healthy, and dresses well. In fact he seems to change clothes pretty often, and looks neat and clean, verging on cool in a ‘street’ kinda way at times. although I have not seen him for a week or two, he has been a local player for a long time. Frequently seen thieving from shops, especially spirits from M&S.

Ora
Caucasian, female 5'6", ginger/dark blonder hair, usually dressed in brown clothes, and wrapped in a manky threadbare orange blanket, and dark drown corduroy 'flower-pot' hat. Begs outside supermarkets, interspersed with hurried walks to peer though the doors of local bookmakers, where she appears to be seeing if there is any money to be stolen.

Dea
Male, caucasian 6', mid 20's, dark blonder hair, black hoodie and black jeans. He is discreet, his hood right down when he is off to score with some of his visibly 'far gone' mates. Could easily be mistaken for simply being homeless, rather than a Class A drugs user. Usually seen begging outside Tesco Queensway, or HSBC up towards the park.

Crack house of the week: 29A colville Terrace, W11.