We spent the day in Greenwich talking with residents about the improvements they'd like to see in the area ahead of the General Election.

In less than a week, on July 4, voters across London will head to the polls to elect their MP in the 2024 General Election.

The News Shopper headed to Greenwich Park on Wednesday afternoon (June 26) to ask residents what they like and dislike about the beloved town centre ahead of the anticipated election day.

‘I fear for our next generation’

Mother and daughter, Lisa and Sherma, were concerned for Greenwich’s youngsters due to the number of crimes they hear about day in and day out.

They spoke to the News Shopper in Greenwich Park, Sherma’s favourite park in all of London as she spent lots of time there as a child.

The pair used to live in Thamesmead but have recently moved to Erith and are keen to see change quickly after the election.

Sherma said: “We have been sat here for a while and we have seen more police officers in this park than we ever do in Erith.

“We need more police presence, but I understand the government budget is tight.”

Lisa added: “There’s so much violence and knife crime in schools and the government aren’t doing anything.

“The needs of young people are not being met. We need more youth clubs to ease the problem.

“I just worry for the future. I've got grandchildren and I worry about their future and their education.”

Lisa went on to say: “I think that the Tories have left the country in such a state now that it looks likely that Labour will get in – we need to see immediate changes and that’s just not going to happen.

“It’s going to get worse before it gets better. I fear for our next generation."

Friends Rebecca, Alisha and Cachita from Woolwich agree that there needs to be more activities available for children to reduce crime in the borough.

The three felt that children are always “loitering on the street” instead of having opportunities to go to youth clubs.

Alisha said: “There’s a lot of violence as well in Woolwich and that needs to be addressed.”

Rebecca added: “At school times I wish school kids would go straight home.

“They need to give kids more to do because they’re all just on the street.”

‘We have lost a sense of community’

Amber and Cidney, two friends who live in Greenwich, feel that they would like to see more focus placed on bringing a sense of community back to the borough.

Amber said: “I would say the worst thing about living in Greenwich is the new build flats.

“You can’t park your car anywhere anymore, there’s a lot of congestion, you have lost a sense of community.

“I think it feels really crowded and a lot of things have gone up in price because now it’s congested.”

Cidney agreed, adding that it’s an issue she believes will “only get worse with time”.

However, the pair adore living in Greenwich and would not want to live anywhere else.

‘Buses aren’t regular enough’

Lacie Russel, who has lived in Eltham for six years, and Madie Bailey, who has lived in Eltham for 17 years, both want to see major improvements to buses in Greenwich.

As it was nearing 30 degrees when the two students spoke to the News Shopper, they both insisted that south east London buses are “too hot” and “need air conditioning”.

Despite these criticisms, the two like to get the bus but feel they do not run regularly enough.

Madie said: “There need to be more buses. Some of them are very regular and some non-existent.

“Trying to get the 286 is hell.”

Lacie agreed, adding: “I would rather get an Uber from the O2 sometimes.

“Getting here to work is really tough. It is a popular spot, especially for tourists, and then you are packed in like sardines and it’s really uncomfortable.”

But both Lacie and Madie would still continue choosing to live in Eltham because of its “convenience”, adding that “you can get places and be in London very quickly. It’s somewhere we love and it’s a good location.”

Who are the candidates for Greenwich in the 2024 General Election?

Greenwich and Woolwich

Chris Annous: Liberal Democrats

Matthew Pennycook: Labour Party

Jonathan Goff: Conservative Party

Priyank Bakshi: Climate Party

Abdoul Aziz Ndiaye: Reform UK

Niko Omilana: Independent 

Sheikh Raquib: Workers Party of Britan

Stacy Smith: Green Party

Erith and Thamesmead

Sarah Elizabeth Rose Barry: Green Party

Pierce Chalmers: Liberal Democrats

Diana Diamond: Independent 

Richard John Mark: Conservative Party

Abena Oppong-Asare: Labour Party

Michael Pastor: Reform UK

Mohammed Abu Shahed: Workers Party of Britan

Eltham and Chislehurst

Ulysse Lucien Abbate: Liberal Democrats 

Dr John Courtneidge: Independent 

Charlie Davis: Conservative Party 

Clive Efford: Labour Party

Sam Gabriel: Green Party

Christian Hacking: Independent 

Mark George Simpson: Reform UK

Sean Ellis Stewart: Workers Party of Britain 

Arnold Tarling: Independent