# Residents respond to England's 'least friendly' borough ranking

The Guardian spoke with people in Barking and Dagenham after the borough was ranked England's least friendly. Residents gave mixed reactions, with some acknowledging the label while others defended their community. The ranking highlights local pride and the gap between perception and everyday experience.

**Importance:** 2/5

## Sources

### Health
- [The Guardian Health](https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/aug/19/barking-mad-how-people-in-englands-least-friendly-borough-feel-about-the-ranking) — Wed, 19 Aug 2026 05:00:05 GMT