Marsh Farm in Luton was troubled by large scale riots in the summer of 1995 after youths rioted for several nights. Gemma, 14, describes life on the estate.
"My mum had a boyfriend who kicked her out. My dad trashed my old house so we can't go back there. My little sister was taken away and I don't know where my brother and other sister are.
I don't like my dad. He's a wife-beater and a child-beater, a bastard and an arse-hole and I hate him.
I was scared of the rapist who attacked two women on the estate last month. I'm scared I might be raped. It's my worst nightmare. It freaks me out.
There's a park with little swings and little steps and it's really shit," said Gemma. "It's a little baby park with little swings and little steps and it's really shit. There is a youth club, but you have to pay 2.50 to
get in. You can only buy sweets and play table tennis and there's not enough going on.
I've been offered drugs and my mum's boyfriend does pot. I've seen him skin up, but I wouldn't say he's addicted. I've seen people dealing.
We all got drunk on New Year's Eve. My mum lets me get drunk on special occasions. If you drink too much, you feel sick and giddy. I was on the floor and I couldn't move. If I went out and got drunk, my mum would be really cross with me. I've seen my parents get drunk a lot of times. My dad's an alcoholic.
I know Marsh Farm's bad, but I still want to live here. I don't want to move away because all my friends and everything are here. A posh house with a swimming pool would be good, but I don't think I'd have as many friends.
About the team
Interviews in London and Luton were conducted by editors Caroline Abomeli, 15, Gavin Fletcher, 14, Senab Adekunle, 15, Aminah Carter, 14, and reporters Carlene Thomas, 13, Chris Fletcher, 12, Ricky Allen, 10. This article was published in The Observer.
