Google street view captures snapshot of modern Britain in turmoil
From the Grenfell Tower fire to protests outside Downing Street after the general election, Google street view has captured some of the most important events of 2017.
RT UK used the tool to take a look around Britain’s streets – including the most expensive and the most deprived.
Protests outside Downing Street
Several hundred demonstrators took to Downing Street just a day after July’s general election in protest at Prime Minister Theresa May’s proposed coalition government with the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP).
The Conservatives failed to secure a majority at the election, so were forced to look to the Northern Irish party to form a working majority.
Snaps from Google show people holding signs with slogans including: “Pray the DUP away” and “Kick the Tories out.”
Inside Downing Street
We used this opportunity to try to get a sneaky look inside Downing Street – but all we found were nicely decorated rooms and gardens with no politicians in sight.
Tributes after Finsbury Park mosque terrorist attack
One person died and 10 others were injured after a van plowed into worshippers near Finsbury Park mosque in London during the holy month of Ramadan. Darren Osborne, 47, was charged with terrorism-related murder.
The community rallied together after the attack. Google captured images of the flowers laid by hundreds of people who were paying tribute to the victims.
London Bridge terrorist attack
Three terrorists killed seven and injured 48 when they used a rented van to mow down pedestrians on London Bridge in June. Wearing fake suicide vests, they then went on a knife rampage in Borough Market, stabbing victims with 12in blades.
Google street view photos from London Bridge show tributes laid to the victims.
Protesters outside the Ecuadorian embassy
The Ecuadorian embassy, where WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has been taking refuge since 2012, has been the site of many protests for his freedom.
This Google image shows one of the many times protesters and media have gathered outside in support of Assange.
Grenfell Tower fire
Scores of people died and were injured after a huge fire engulfed Grenfell Tower, a west London residential tower block, in the early hours of June 14. The fire is believed to have killed at least 80 people.
Images captured by Google show devastated Londoners staring up at the burntout building the day after the fire. Other photos show police vans gathering in nearby streets, and a journalist setting up a live report.
East Jaywick, the most deprived village in the UK
Once billed as an idyllic seaside holiday village, Jaywick is now the most deprived place in England and Wales, according to the government.
We had a look around on Google maps.
Eaton Square, the most expensive place to live in Britain
The average home in Eaton Square is worth £16,944,000 (US$22 million) and has been named as Britain’s most expensive street. Built in the 19th century and arranged around private gardens, Eaton Square contains grand houses and apartments.
When we tried to embed the 360 map of Eaton Square in this story, and the Google street views of the other most expensive streets in Britain including Grosvenor Crescent, Ilchester Place, Lansdowne Road and Chester Square, they were all blacked out.
This could appear to be the rich buying their privacy, although it could also be down to the fact there are embassies with tight security in the areas.
