And in May 2020, Barrow-in-Furness in Cumbria looked like going the same way.
A local woman, Eleanor Williams, claimed she was the victim of an Asian grooming gang and published pictures of her injuries and an account of being groomed, trafficked and beaten, on Facebook in a post shared more than 100,000 times.
The post sparked demonstrations in her home town and led to English Defence League founder Tommy Robinson visiting the town to "investigate" the claims.
But this week, at Preston Crown Court, Williams, 22, of Teasdale Road, Barrow, was convicted of eight counts of perverting the course of justice. The jury was told she inflicted the injuries on herself with a hammer and had falsely named a number of innocent people as being responsible for trafficking and abusing her.
Denne historien er fra January 08, 2023-utgaven av MEN on Sunday.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra January 08, 2023-utgaven av MEN on Sunday.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Bethell relishing Old Trafford T20 decider
JACOB Bethell was pleased to get down to business for England after admitting he struggled to shut out the external noise during a low-key international debut.
Is this turning point that boss so badly needs?
Victory buys Ten Hag breathing space, but now United must capitalise on it
Food for thought for the Insta diners
Why we need to disconnect from our phones for the best eating out experience
'It would normally be packed but now! it's a GHOST TOWN'
Traders warn they won't survive the loss of spaces after water company closed car park
Man used trafficked woman to make more than £100k
A MAN profited from the exploitation of a vulnerable woman to the tune of more than £100,000.
'You imagine there would be a lot of barking but it was silent?
The devastating Manchester Dogs Home fire ten years on
Couple's home hit by car for THIRD time
Pair forced to evacuate property
Shopkeeper faces £20k costs to undo changes he made
Business owner was refused permission for work already done
Disorder'more anti-government than racism'
Barrister makes claim as thug who attacked bus during trouble outside hotel housing asylum seekers jailed
'There's no characters left'
Traders and customers' sadness as shutters come down on market for final time