'Chav' capital slur on Crewe (From Warrington Guardian)

'Chav' capital slur on Crewe

CREWE has been branded as the 'chav capital of the world' on a website rating the country's tackiest towns.

The slang word 'chav' entered the Collins English Dictionary this year, defined as 'a young working class person who dresses in casual sports clothing'.

It is further used to describe lower class people who adorn themselves with seemingly lavish items, in order to purvey an image of credibility and wealth.

But the website, chavtowns.co.uk, describes Crewe as a haven for u n d e r - a g e d pregnancy, promiscuity, vandalism, dissolution and violence.

One entry on the site said: "Standard attire amongst Crewe's considerable chav population is the obligatory Burberry cap and plain white trainers.

"These are almost universally accompanied by tracksuit trousers and white socks.

"One need only take a leisurely stroll around Crewe's hellhole town centre - taking care to dodge the kebab trays and discarded cans of strong cider - to experience this misguided fashion statement."

It goes on: "The most basic, underage chav settles with such fulfilling pursuits as throwing bricks at moving buses, stealing cider and engaging in sexual encounters with likeminded chavettes in the ever-popular Crewe Park, a stone's throw from their favoured area, the wellknown West End."

One comment said: "I seriously doubt there is any worse town in the UK than Crewe."

Another said: "I've worked here for four years, and the first impression I had of the town's youth were a bunch of unkempt, foul mouthed, short haired rodents, all identically dressed in baseball caps, sports tops and trackie bottoms."

Another entry describes the former estate of Leighton Park as 'Beirut'.

Borough Council Leader Peter Kent hit back at the criticism saying: "These type of sites are proliferating

all the time.

"I don't regard it as typical at all. We are a boom town and it's just a shame that people have not got anything better to do with their time."

Conservative Group Leader and borough councillor Brian Silvester said: "The comments are destructive, outrageous and in parts are downright obscene. But the people who live in Crewe know what the truth is."

What do you think about the attacks on our town? Write to Crewe Guardian Newsdesk, 42 High Street, Crewe, Cheshire, or email crewe@guardiangrp.co.uk