News

UK ‘Prepper’ movement growing with more people hoarding supplies at home in case current crises escalate | UK News


Behind the locked door in Barry’s house is the room he’s been preparing for the past year.

Driven by uncertainty, he stocked up on food, first aid supplies, torches and battery-powered lights.

“The cost of living crisis, the power outage, the lack of fuel, things that I’m prepared for right now,” he said.

On the shelves were at least a dozen boxes of dry and canned food – all carefully labeled and meticulously preserved to keep them dry and airtight.

“There’s about four months’ worth of food for the three of us, here at the moment,” said Barry. “But my goal now is to have enough food, for the three of us, for six months.”

When asked why, he replied: “Because you don’t know. Life is very unpredictable right now.”

Barry is known as the Prepper, part of a burgeoning UK community identified by the phrase: “Hope for the best, prepare for the worst.”

Online Prep forums and YouTube channels, including Barry’s, are attracting thousands of new members each week, as people ask for advice on what to buy and how to store.

Barry, who posted the video online under the pseudonym Northman Prepping UK, said: “My advice to everyone is to stock up on at least a week’s worth of food.

“Things like battery-powered torches and lights are easy and inexpensive in case the lights go out.”

In these videos, he hides his identity and adds: “I really don’t want to go public. And if things get worse, I don’t want people to know where I live or my supplies. I.”

Toilet paper, canned food, candles and first aid kit
Picture:
Toilet paper, canned food, candles and a first aid kit inside Barry’s locker room

Guns hoarded because ‘people can go crazy quickly’

On one wall in Barry’s barn was a series of rifles and airguns.

He said they were “just a hobby”, but in the event the current crises in the UK escalate, he said they could help with the breakdown of law and order.

“People can go crazy quickly,” he said.

“I’m confident that me and my sons can protect our home if need be. I just want to be ready. But the pantry is the biggest thing for me.”

Barry collects airguns and other guns
Picture:
Barry collects airguns and other guns

The Preparation Movement began in the United States, where it is more often associated with preparation for events like the Apocalypse.

It differs from the Survivalist movement, which focuses on surviving the total breakdown of society.

But in the UK, Prepper and psychologist Dr Sarita Robinson say it has become “much more mainstream”.

Dr Robinson, who teaches survival psychology at the University of Central Lancashire, describes himself as a “Low-Level Preparer”.

Dr. Sarita Robinson, University of Central Lancashire
Picture:
Dr Sarita Robinson describes herself as a ‘Low-Level Preparer’

“It’s just enough reserve in case the government or local government can’t really do everything for you right away,” she said.

In a cupboard under the stairs, Dr. Robinson stashed battery-powered lamps, flashlights and a large power bank, outside that “could keep our phones and computers running”, in the school. power outages this winter.

“Life has been a little more uncertain,” she said. “And when we lack that control, we can become anxious. So a little preparation in advance gives you a little bit of control.”

Dr Robinson said that while the perception of Preppers was “masculine, military-style”, most Preppers were “young women with children”.

Preppers ‘don’t wear tin hats doing chestnut work’

From her Prepper store in Wales, Leigh Price noticed new customers “from all walks of life”.

“[Preppers] considered chestnut jobs with tin hats,” he told Sky News.

“But they’re not – they’re just people who want to make sure they have some security at home.”

The Bug Out, which Leigh opens in 2020, is a cave containing Aladdin’s survival gear.

Prepper Leigh Price
Picture:
Prepper Leigh Price inside his shop in Wales

From best-by 2047 cans of food, to camping gas stoves and paraffin lamps, Mr Price said people are spending “£70 to £7,000” at a time.

“We have people calling from all over the place,” he said.

“They can be doctors, teachers, from the city, from the countryside. It’s all about ‘what happens’. ‘What if the power goes out, what if I can’t keep warm?’ ‘”

Read more from Sky News:
Simple energy tricks to help you save money this winter
Life-threatening weather warning hits UK

“It’s really unsafe, people don’t know what’s going on,” he added.

Leigh said a recent call came from an “old lady” who was “worried about being alone and the lights off, or not being able to pay her electricity bill.

“I sent her some blankets, one of these little stoves, some gas, some food, and a phone number she could call if that happened,” he explains.

Food Supplies Checklist
Picture:
Food Supplies Checklist

Insurance against uncertainty

Leigh claims preparation is “insurance against uncertainty”.

Barry likens the feeling of seeing his shelves full to “when you look at your bank account and see you have some savings”.

For Dr. Robinson, it’s just about “getting ready before an emergency happens, because by the time you have a crisis it’s too late”.

She said: “It was like during a pandemic where suddenly there was nowhere to go to the bathroom, it wasn’t because of the Preppers.

“Because the Preppers will have 100 loo scrolls under the stairs for months.”

news7f

News7F: Update the world's latest breaking news online of the day, breaking news, politics, society today, international mainstream news .Updated news 24/7: Entertainment, Sports...at the World everyday world. Hot news, images, video clips that are updated quickly and reliably

Related Articles

Back to top button