Cops tell posh Brits to 'play classical music' to scare off thugs blighting area

Residents living in a posh London area have been told to play classical music, but not too loudly, after 22 people complained of a spate of drug-fuelled anti-social behaviour ruining their streets

Residents of one of London’s wealthiest areas have been instructed to use an unconventional measures to deter the thugs blighting their neighbourhood.

The Met Police told homeowners in St John’s Wood in northwest London to play classical music to rid themselves of the anti-social behaviour terrorising their streets.

The neighbourhood, where the average property price is more than £1million, has seen a spate of drug-fuelled problems and crimes in recent times. Robberies have occurred, car windows have been smashed, and people have brazenly been dealing and using drugs in broad daylight and in the open. A resident found one person taking crack cocaine on their doorstep, while another was told he would be “shot and chopped up” by a drug dealer after he confronted them during a deal, The Sun reports.

The police received complaints from 22 residents and around 20 cars had been broken into.

Another resident told The Sun that he sent pictures of some of the crimes to the Met Police hoping they would act. However, he received an email in return advising him that he should film an incident if it is safe to do so and call 999 immediately.

The email added: “You can also contact your housing association/the council and ask them to play classical music as this has proven to deter and prevent crimes.”

Yet, the police then advised that their music of choice should not be played too loudly, as “that can cause other complaints”.

The resident, a businessman, who lives near the Abbey Road recording studio, slammed the cops for their mad tip. Speaking to The Sun, they said: “Are the police on another planet? It’s crazy that they thought this would solve the problem.”

Classical music has been proven to deter antisocial behaviour in transport networks, The Times reports, with Northern claiming playing Handel, Beethoven and Mozart at 35 stations led to a reduction in loitering and pesky groups of people. McDonald’s has also used classical tunes to reduce problem behavior.

The Met said: “While clearly well-intentioned, the advice in the email sent to the resident in this case doesn’t reflect Met policy.”

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