I've lived in Hackney 6 years (Dalston & Hackney Wick), and would happily say that I've seen few problems, but a couple of months ago armed police rammed the door down of my yardie neighbour (apparently this happens every couple of months?), and then the other week I saw my downstairs Polish neighbour getting his head literally jumped on by two other large Polish men. Apart from that it's fine.
I've lived in Hackney 6 years (Dalston & Hackney Wick), and would happily say that I've seen few problems, but a couple of months ago armed police rammed the door down of my yardie neighbour (apparently this happens every couple of months?), and then the other week I saw my downstairs Polish neighbour getting his head literally jumped on by two other large Polish men. Apart from that it's fine.