"Speak out on behalf of the voiceless, and for the rights of all who are vulnerable"
Proverbs 31:8
In this article:
- Exploring Urgent Challenges: the pressing issues faced by Walthamstow’s residents and businesses, particularly around crime and institutional neglect.
- Citizen Watch’s Role: We detail how Citizen Watch aims to address these concerns through community engagement and accountability.
- A Call for Collective Action: Learn how you can join efforts to create tangible change in Walthamstow.
At Lighthouse Global, our mission continues to shine a light on injustice and empower communities to protect the vulnerable. On Friday 13th December, we revisited Walthamstow, building upon our Citizen Watch initiative. Through deeper engagement with local businesses and residents, we gathered invaluable insights into the challenges they face, particularly around crime, safety, and the failure of institutions to provide adequate support.
How We Got Here: Lighthouse Global’s Commitment to Community
At Lighthouse Global, our journey to creating Citizen Watch stems from years of witnessing the neglect and challenges faced by local communities, families and businesses. Our mission has always been to defend the vulnerable and shine a light on systemic failures that harm those most in need in order to reach their full potential. We’ve seen how small businesses, which are the backbone of any community and economy, often bear the brunt of neglect by authorities and, in the worst cases, are targeted and forced into closure by tyrannical and malevolent individuals corroborating with authorities.
We believe businesses should not have to battle alone against being vulnerable to attacks or neglect on top of rising business costs. They should be nurtured and enabled to flourish. This is why Citizen Watch is so crucial—it represents a platform where these businesses can have their voices heard and solutions to the obstacles in the way of their business thriving can be pursued together. For us, this is not just a campaign; it’s a deeply held belief in the power of community and accountability.
Above: Lighthouse Associate Tom Hasker who was harrassed by local MP Stella Creasy, was out in Walthamstow speaking to local business owners and giving Citizen Watch flyers out to residents.
Citizen Watch: A Growing Need
Through ongoing conversations with Walthamstow residents and business owners, it has become increasingly clear that Walthamstow needs a united platform for accountability. Citizen Watch aims to address neglected concerns and foster a culture of responsibility among authorities and those in power. Recent feedback from local residents and businesses has only strengthened the need for such an initiative:
- Crime as a Growing Concern: One woman shared her harrowing experience of being mugged not just once, but four times, with no meaningful response from the police. Another coffee shop owner expressed fear for his business—a fear stemming from experiencing multiple break-ins and damage to his property. He was told to report crimes not to local police but to a station in nearby Chingford, with a required 48-hour wait.
- Safety Fears Among Businesses: Business owners described feeling abandoned in the face of threats posed by individuals struggling with mental health and substance abuse issues. One owner shared how disturbances in his shop frightened customers and staff, yet the police failed to provide consistent support either for the business or for the individuals with clear mental health issues.
- Police Under Pressure: In our discussions with local officers, they acknowledged the community’s struggles and cited staffing and funding shortages as key barriers to effective action. Yet, this raises a critical question: Who ensures the efficient use of their limited resources?
A Day of Unbelievable Contrasts
While these businesses face neglect, we experienced an unusual situation. Six police officers were assigned to monitor our group of six Christians as we engaged with the community. This response followed our email about the day’s work (informing the police about our presence is a usual part of our protocol for our safety given harassment from local BBC journalists, their associates and even the local MP) – and it contrasted starkly with the lack of response to the business owner whose shop had been repeatedly broken into.
On behalf of the citizens of Walthamstow, it is important to ask: who is making the staffing decisions within the local police and local authorities to assign not one, not two, not three but six police officers for less than 10 peaceful Christian campaigners speaking to the public when local businesses are suffering as they struggle to get a police officer to attend their property within 48 hours of a robbery? While we appreciate the dialogue with officers and the good relationship we have built with them, this scenario underscores a troubling misalignment of priorities.
Why is it left to us—concerned citizens—to engage with these businesses, instead of the council, MPs, or the media? Local businesses are already burdened by rising rents, taxes, and VAT and all the costs associated with damage to their property. They need nurturing and protection, not neglect, if the local authorities want to keep these businesses as part of their local economy. This stark disconnect between authority priorities and community needs only deepens the urgency for initiatives like Citizen Watch.
"Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed."
Proverbs 15:22
Above, Walthamstow High Street and market in the build up to Christmas 2024.
Building Community, Advocating for Change
Despite these challenges, hope is growing. We are now in the process of organising local events to bring voices together where we aim to continue the conversations we have had, identify solutions, and create a collective push for accountability. Currently, one proposal includes authoring an open letter to those responsible that would outline specific actions needed to address these urgent problems. This would be for the likes of MP Stella Creasy – who has harassed us for our peaceful protests in Walthamstow in the past, warning the public about journalists who provably slander and don’t take responsibility, along with BBC’s culture of abuse and coverup.
We remain open to community-driven solutions, recognising that the answers must come from the people most affected. Citizen Watch is committed to being a catalyst for this change, standing alongside residents and businesses in their fight against the neglect and systemic failures undermining their livelihoods. Without a Groundswell of support behind businesses and local people, they are fragmented and at great risk of being attacked whether it’s a robbery, a malicious smear campaign against them, a lack of advice and support, or any other challenge that may befall a business.
"Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!"
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
A Call to Action
If you’re a business owner, resident, or someone passionate about justice, we invite you to join us. Whether it’s through sharing your experiences, hosting events, or simply displaying our flyers, your involvement is vital. Together, we can:
- Amplify local voices to demand accountability from authorities.
- Build networks of support among businesses and residents.
- Stand against the systemic issues eroding Walthamstow’s sense of safety and community.
Our Vision: A United and Accountable Community
The journey ahead is about more than addressing isolated grievances. It is about fostering a culture where truth, justice, and care for the vulnerable are at the forefront of community life. At Walthamstow Citizen Agency, (a Lighthouse Global project), we remain committed to this cause, inspired by the voices we’ve heard and the connections we’ve built.
If you would like to contribute to our efforts or learn more about Citizen Watch, please reach out.
Pray with us...
Heavenly Father,
The people of Walthamstow are facing many challenges in their community and businesses are suffering in this fallen world. You, Lord have provided the ultimate solution to human sin through the sacrifice of your son Jesus Christ on the cross, and it is to Him that we look for truth, for guidance and for hope.
May your hand be over the businesses in Walthamstow, help them to flourish and where we can help and serve them and highlight the injustices they are experiencing, help us to hold those responsible to account in your name.
In Jesus Christ’s name we pray
Amen.
Phew. Much needed work here, thank you to everyone making the effort to find out the reality and truth – and prepare the way for Citizen Watch to take full effect in Walthamstow. The clear need for community support, funding and resources to prevent crime, as well as educate and protect young people is becoming increasingly clear. God bless you all and may God raise up His righteous elect in this town. The local MP ought to spend less time on her instagram beauty filters and more time actually listening to the needs of her constituents.
There’s certainly been a sense of nostalgia to be speaking to a range of coffee shop owners. We tested a similar project a decade ago with coffee shops across London. This time around is also very different given all we’ve learnt about people, not least those who seek to abuse power to promote themselves.
We have been incredibly grateful for the police support that we’ve received over the last few months in Walthamstow. However, it’s tragic to hear how local small business owners and residents aren’t receiving the same level of care and protection. I appreciate that resources are stretched, but it’s corrupt that BBC journalists and MPs are taken more seriously than the everyday person on the street.
This is why Walthamstow Citizen Agency is so desperately needed, so that the everyday person on the street is taken seriously by the authorities when they currently aren’t.
“A righteous man knows the rights of the poor; a wicked man does not understand such knowledge.” – Proverbs 29:7
Hello James,how are you, this is williams your Twitter friend, I’ve seen your DM which you sent long back and iam very much excited to see your activism against this ongoing cancel culture on christianity and freedom of speech, I pray that May God guide you in all of your efforts .
God bless you brother.
Williams From India
Hi Williams,
Really good to hear from you and thank you for your prayers.
I appreciate your enthusiasm for our stand in the face of tyranny (ie the abuse of power and influence). I am seeing the desperate need for the Body of Christ to be standing together to support each other, rather than to be fragmented.
I look forward to learning more about your ministry in India, please feel free to DM me.
God bless.