Tonight is a major test for us all
The police expect more trouble tonight, and it could be a big showdown. They cannot afford to lose – not after they, the Government, the mayor and everyone else have made such a song and dance about their new robust approach.
This largely boils down to numbers. The police need the rioters and TV viewers to see more officers than rioters. In theory that shouldn’t be difficult – I haven’t seen more than 16,000 violent youths on my screens. In practice it could be much harder.
The big advantage the rioters have is mobility and the size of London. Whereas the riots have largely been in areas close to deprivation, until now, there is no theoretical reason why they shouldn’t go to more affluent areas, or middle class suburbs. Anywhere from Putney to Hampstead is relatively easy to hit and get out of even if you don’t know your way around. It depends how determined the rioters are.
The police will know they cannot afford more images of them seeming to stand around (even if, in fact, they are planning their tactics and charges) so we can expect them to move a little quicker. With officers from 26 forces outside the capital they will not all know their way around so their ability to react as quickly as the rioters could be hampered.
The fundamental issues around these riots will take a long time to unravel. Tonight we already seem way beyond the original causes and the shooting of a suspect by police. But already our cups runneth over with guff about the whys, whos and what fors. Let us take a small reality check about some of the easy answers being offered up so far.
1. “The rioters are mindless”
There is nothing mindless about coordinated attacks on areas away from the police, avoiding residential targets, and going for commercial premises. People in some of the areas hit have described seeing older men telling younger people what to do. The undoubted criminality in what is happening requires some street knowledge.
2. “It’s like a warzone/the middle east/apocalypse”
No, it isn’t. It is terrifying to sit in your home with gangs of young men outside, ripping up your front yard, hurling missiles, setting fire to cars, burning buildings. Lives are being put at risk – and there is a grave danger somebody is about to be killed. But this is not like a warzone, or an intifada or a biblical destruction of the world. We must keep our sense of perspective.
3. “The police should crack down”
Just remember it was tough policing that started this whole episode – officers shooting dead a man they believed was an imminent threat. Remember too how furious people get at police using kettling at demonstrations, charging with horses, wielding their batons and hurting people as they did at the G20 protests. The police are under pressure to use reasonable force – what that is changes according to public mood, it seems.
Tonight is a big test for all sides. Will the rioters take fright? Will decent people go out to defend their homes? Will the police lose control again or crack down? The government cannot afford for this to go on. At the moment the opposition is being restrained, and aiming its fury at the rioters. But you can be sure there will be a political reckoning on how the government handled this – and the idea that people no longer feel safe is a potent political argument. Who is the party of law and order is not clear right now.
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There are 40 comments on this post
“The police are under pressure to use reasonable force – what that is changes according to public mood it seems”
And who it is being used against?
there was not one picture of a senior policeman
on the street leading his men, no wonder police moral is so low
we have no leaders in the police
and no leaders in parliament worthy of the description. a one day recall for parliament doth a leader not make.parliament should already have been recalled over the eurodebt and BUT NO REAL LEADERSHIP WOULD SEE THE US CREDIT RATING CRISIS BUT NO TUSCANY HAD TO COME FIRST.
THESUMMER RECESS SHOULD BE SCRAPPED OUR REPRESENTATIVES SHOULD BE DEBATING THESE MATTERS IN PARLIAMENT AND BE SEEN TO BE DOING SO THE INEXPERIENCE OFOUR POLITICAL’LEADERS’ IS BREATHTAKING
Step One needs to be to close down BBM tonight so that this generation of rioters cannot organise themselves via a private channel. Yes they may be able to use another system in future but this will stop them for the next few weeks. Next we need to quickly set up a review of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1976. I believe that this Act need to be abolished as it is a “Don’t ask, Don’t tell” piece of legislation dating from a pre-internet age. The reality is that information on the internet – be it Facebook, Flikr etc is there forever and we need to create a system where criminals know that their records are always there and a Big Society in which people can *forgive* (rather than pretend that the problem is not there), even if it can never, in a post internet age, *forget*. That way rioters will know that their actions tonight will last forever in the world’s digital memory and can take account of this fact in deciding whether to do something or not.
Disaffected urban youth? Facilitated by social media? Partially perhaps but it’s more complex. Urban youth have always been ‘disaffected’ and they have invariably found ways to communicate before ‘social media’ arrived. Related to social and economic factors? Of course. Every human behaviour is. Social control broken down? Yes . . . for a wee while. Tough times for older people, young children and those caring for them. Revolution time? Not yet but unless we (that’s all of us) agree to try to care for each other as much as we seek at the individual level to look after ourselves, then it’s step change time. Hold on to your hats!
What if the media played a more constructive role? Stop asking for ‘your pictures’ or ‘your video’ If Blackberry took a stand and turned off their messaging server for a few hours tonight. The mobile phone companies could add a delay to sms of say 2 hours – that wouldn’t stop the messages getting through, just delay them enough to make them ineffectual. Whilst these looters are a despicable bunch, isn’t it time that all of society became the ‘big society’ and adopted some social/corporate responsibility over greed and share price – just for a few hours?
Disaffected urban youth? Facilitated by social media? Partially perhaps but it’s more complex. Urban youth have always been ‘disaffected’ and they have invariably found ways to communicate before ‘social media’ arrived. Related to social and economic factors? Of course. Every human behaviour is. Social control broken down? Yes . . . for a wee while. Tough times for older people, young children and those caring for them. Revolution time? Not yet but unless we (that’s all of us) agree to try to care for each other as much as we seek at the individual level to look after ourselves, then it could step change time.
I understand that police need to be careful about the forces they used so they are not accused of over using its power but what is happening now is calling for some drastic action and I think they should consider involving the army and put the stop to the riots. Start arresting people who are responsible. It is painful to watch how peoples homes and possesions are destroyed by the trouble makers, who decided they have nothing better to do than trash the city for fun cause don’t think they are doing it in the name of the man who got shot last week.
“Remember too how furious people get at police using kettling at demonstrations, charging with horses, wielding their batons and hurting people as they did at the G20 protests.”
Be that as it may it seems that the majority of public opinion has no sympathy for those rioting and there is a general call for tougher action. In this instance, the use of greater force, such as kettling and water cannon, may not be as divisive as previous event may suggest. There is huge anger in the majority of Britons to what is seen as clear criminality, even if it may have been sparked by the tragic death of Mark Duggan, that excuse no longer holds water as the riots have spread so far and so fast. Obviously there are major areas of deprivation and social disaffection throughout many areas, but the wanton destruction seen over the last couple of nights is helping no one deal with these and is in danger of leading to a back-lash against those who are disadvantaged, the vast majority of whom are in fact not rioting. It does seem to be opportunistic theft and vandalism and cannot be justified as being politically motivated unrest.
An Excellent post Krishnan and an exceptionally balanced look at what’s going on.
People are quick to adopt right-wing, fascist views on tackling the situation, labelling protesters and rioters as criminals. Yes, there are criminal human behaviours which manifest themselves in exploiting the situation (as do our elected leaders, might I add) but as you rightly point out, this is not something that has occurred because the criminals started looting and the police retaliated.
I hope the issues that have caused these riots do not get brushed under the carpet as with so many others – although I suspect in the end they will be.
Great work reporting the news in a very memorable, disturbing and also exciting past few days.
Agreed, the criminals are not mindless but see a way to hurt as they have been hurt. The reciprocative attacks may not be ‘civilised’ and the methods used to control will emphasise this. Hurt and the high emotions engendered by those who are so arrogant as not to value every individual as having potential ,and are happy to carry on using and abusing children ,teenagers, older people , vunerable wellwishers to get the things they want in life(more often than not money and power)gets to the roots of a blatantly and overtly misplaced perception that some people are born to judge others, innately being their betters.
Secondly this is not like the middle east. Wake up! whatever the reason or vehicles to display malcontent,it is happening : but to a lesser degree in terms of criminality however could escalate if the fire of vehemence is not quelled.
Lastly the police should crack down. The Police will crack down and will learn lessons from these protests. I have seen in my life much bad behaviour from the police , but they are also individuals who have also been subject to their upringings where ‘the stick’ ruled. Violence of thought, word or deed is not healthy.
This is a good point. The ‘authorities’ do (I believe) have the ability to shut down or suspens cells to block mobile traffic in emergencies. Not sure why they haven’t done this. it wouldn’t effect their own comms channels. But maybe only during the night? There are groups using social media cgannels to mobilise aid in these areas, and this shouldn’t be compromised.
And on another point: these criminals are not mindless. They are opportunists fir the most part who are too thick to realise what they are doing. It is NOT about feeling hurt, or hard-done-by. There are many ways vent to those frustrations that don’t involve this level of violence/criminality.
In my humble opinion the problem is with society in general. God knows how long that will take to rectify. Probably not in my lifetime: these things dont change overnight. Can we mobilise ourselves to do something co.structive? If so a it would be a step forward for local communities to help each other to rebuild.
Throwing a large number of Police at the problem is the only reasonable option this evening. If that doesn’t work it’ll need some more dramatic measures, such as night-time curfews and putting troops on the streets.
But the most effective solution, will be when it starts raining again. The rioters won’t want to get their newly stolen trainers wet…!
This article tests my left wing sensibilities. I’d hardly call it tough policing to shoot a man that was carrying a firearm. Whether he discharged it or not is largely irrelevant. Please let’s avoid finding balance in situations that don’t deserve it. This is opportunistic criminal behaviour that requires a commensurate response.
Im watching the news right now and extremely frustrated and you have a responsibility to present a balanced picture and not inflame an already difficult situation! Your presenter commented that the IPCC reported the guy shot in Tottenham did not shoot first and the clear implication was that police changed story – the last line of the article did mention that the police found a loaded gun at the scene! The article is unbalanced, unfair . . . THE PRESS HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO US ALL, PLEASE LIVE UP TO IT!
The scenes of looting, not rioting, are despicable. Let’s not kid anyone. But we should not forget that the banks looted our pensions, livelihoods and our society a few years ago and nothing was done. There was some fickle outrage and that was all. At least this generation is crying out (by looting because that’s what they know what to do). They feel the inequality and lack of accountability in our society (phone hackings, corruption, illegal wars), so they take advantage. Who is really to blame? Why are there not more journalists interviewing this youth so we can try to understand their point of view? Or do we still want to silent them?
Ealing is not exactly deprived.
Krishnan,
Congratulations on a fine 7 o’clock news broadcast. In the circumstances I thought the overall balance was about right.
You may not like this, but I thought the most telling picture was your own honest bewilderment.
The mere fact that you were completely taken by surprise by the London Riots actually speaks louder volumes than anything else.
But at least you dealt with it honestly.
Everyone agrees majoroty of rioters are kids. Where are the parents/guardians? Will they face any action if the kids are involved in this mayhem? Fines, loss of benefits, eviction? They must be held accountable, how can you not know where or what your term is doing at 10pm? Time we face up to issues such as poor parenting and address them head on.
this is a complete farce , like other countries hit them hard no softly softly tacticts . GET the water hoses out but put dye that they cant wash off for months in them . show the world we have got BALLS and have control.We will lose confidence from the people coming for the olympics.more loss of our money. Unless the government deal with this properly we will have a country that people from abroad will see as a laughing stock.I personally will not be voting for any of the clowns in power now as they are not doing their jobs where i come from if you dont do your job you get sacked (government policy)
Good post, it’s going to take more than Boris wielding a broomstick in Clapham to fix this.We need some answers, why was Tottenham left to burn? Why 4 days before a ‘robust’ response? Now that David Cameron’s back from Tuscany how is he going to help the shopkeepers who have lost their livelihoods and the people who have lost their homes?
I’m astonished at tonight’s & 7pm news to see how aggressive you are towards the Govt and police – you are totally anti law & order – shame on you
“Just remember it was tough policing that started this whole episode – officers shooting dead a man they believed was an imminent threat. Remember too how furious people get at police using kettling at demonstrations, charging with horses, wielding their batons and hurting people as they did at the G20 protests. The police are under pressure to use reasonable force – what that is changes according to public mood, it seems.”
No. You forget that demos and protests are lawful whereas arson, looting, vandalism are not.The public are right to be furious about kettling etc. and equally right to be furious at the apparent standoffishness by the police whilst criminality goes on before their eyes.
The Police have a series of tools and techniques which should always be used appropriately. They are rightly criticised for using ‘kettling’ when that is against peaceful, legitimate protestors, but the current situation is anything but a peaceful, legitimate protest.
This is deliberate criminality endangering life, against which the operational commanders should be empowered to use all techniques available to them as they judge fit – if the rioters don’t like it, then they can stop rioting.
Much of the large-scale destruction was actually caused by the fire service not being allowed to do its job until they were protected from attack by rioters – the simple technique of each fire appliance carrying an army sniper with authority to fire at will would have saved not only millions in fire damage but also limited the now-perceived successes of the rioters.
And if news of the riot-plans can be transmitted instantly by BBM, then news of a few being shot dead would also travel widely at the same speed. Wonder how many would keep rioting then ?
The Peasant Revolt (1381)
Jack Cade’s rebellion, 1450
South Sea Bubble Riots, 1720
Gin Riots 1743
St George’s Field or Wilkite Riots 1758
Gordon Riots or Great Liberty Riot 1780
Spa Fields Riot, 1816
Reform League Riots, 1866
Bloody Sunday 1887
Suffragettes, 1914
Hunger March, 1932
The Battle of Cable Street, 1936
Notting Hill, 1958
Brixton Riots, 1981
Broadwater Farm, 1985
Wapping, 1986-87
Poll Tax riots, 1990
Criminal Justice Bill, 1994
J-18
Brixton 1996 / 2001
May Day 2000 / 2001 / 2002
Consider this carefully: – people have a history of expressing themselves violently. So, whether those that choose, or not, to favour the reasoning behind this present riot; set against the context of history there will always be a collective reaction to perceived injustice. It follows; depending on your politics, gender, race or societal position – this will determine your own, biased, reaction, to the ‘London riots, 2011’.
Major Test???? Don’t think so, at all.The test( if there was one) was failed by those who rioted these last few nights. But what can we expect, when young people truant themselves from school,have a reading age of 5, no interest in doing anything that might offer them a stake in their own communities, choose instead to offer their allegiance to “gang” culture and tribal post code territories. Respect?? that starts INSIDE oneself, then flows out to others as we interact with people,places and things. Nah, the riots of the last few days are Summer Madness, as far as I can see. I can see the headline in a few days, they will call all this the BlackBerry Riots, or the Twitter Riots, something banal, as will be the solutions on offer from “those in authority”
‘Moderators’ are, by definition, self-restrained and average. Or, put another way: rigid and ordinary. I am now finally convinced of the alternative media’s significance; that is, to reveal a balanced truth, so that the flow of information (AKA freedom of civilised expression)can liberate individuals. (So long)
Krishnan, As will be remembered, I’ve warned of these impending riots and protest many many times in my previous postings. I also warned and exposed the reality of Britain. A country full of inequality, poverty, misery and hate as a result of 40 years of bias governance in favour of serving the wealthy. A country of mass prejudice and brainwashings against the poor. A country where the statistics for people out of work are so manipulated that the true figure is denied being aired for political reasons. A country where the Banks can enjoy huge annual bonuses yet protested face plastic bullets, CS gas, Police Brutality and smearing by the media. A country where even the Police are implicated in corruption with News Int. A country where the ‘Hang ‘em, Flog ‘em, Imprison ‘em, Kill ‘em’ attitudes are allowed to be posted by upper classes. A country where MPs fiddle expenses yet the poor suffer misery of ‘auterity cuts’. A country where predatory capitalism has produced a minority of vile greedy people controlling most resources. A country where ‘Austerity’ measures are driving and fuelling hate like never before. A country where most of the media is controlled by the wealthy scum living in the south of England. A country that promotes military intervention abroad and now tries to silence UK citizens by use of force. A country ruled by the vile rich upper classes who enjoy law manipulation and bias in their favour. A country that where people are denied any help when they lose their jobs. A country that’s the root of hate and radicalisation. A country that epitomises division and greed. A country that ignores prejudice behaviour. A country with so many selfish scum who care nothing about the fabric of society and equality. A country that uses spin and lies to promote a false picture of the vile UK. A country where property portfolios are owned by greedy vermin and enjoy light touch regulation by colluding scum in government who own thousands of properties. A country full of misery where children and adults have no hope and live in squallar. A country where protests are suppressed in ways no different to o called ‘pariah states’. A country where ‘austerity’ measures are the tipping point after 40 years of division and poverty. A country where its true face and reality is now being shown to the rest of the world as a result of riots. A country that thinks arrogant policies of imprisoning thousands and thousands of protesters will hide the true facts of inequality and lies perpetrated by government. A country that epitomises predatory capitalism and is that’s now worse than communism. A country where protest and riots will become the norm and, as I’ve stated before, Police brutality and government dictatorship policies will see many deaths as a result of the vile rich scum terrorising the citizens of the UK. A country where those who fought for in the 2 world wars should be ashamed to see how the rich minority have damaged people more than the Third Reich
“…damaged people more than the Third Reich.”?
Slightly hysterical and highly insulting to the tens of millions who died fighting Nazi Germany and its allies. Britain is a deeply divided nation with huge and inexcusable gaps in wealth but to say that the rich are damaging more people than the Nazis is patronising drivel.
I see you make no comment about the rest of my post. You try to extract what you perceive as a negative in an attempt to assassinate my well founded points and, for that, I shall not enter into a responding to your drivel.
I didn’t think the rest of your post was worth commenting on. It was summed up by your completely ignorant comment about the Third Reich which clearly shows you have no grasp of history and no idea of what you are talking about. People like you, who make unfounded and stupid comments saying that rich Britons are doing more harm than those who implemented the Final Solution and murdered a third of all Poles, amongst many other atrocities, are quite rightly ignored as crack pots.
Ouch! At first read this seems somewhat OTT, and emotive in places. Like Matthew I’d take issue with the 3rd Reich comments.I know plenty of people at bothe ends of our socio-economic scale, and certainly those at the top end aren’t vile (¬ just cos I know them), nor are those at the other end spongers, criminal . What separates them is the world they live in. Thus each have no real idea of what it’s like to be in the others shoes. So we have people like our ‘glorious’ leaders saying ‘we are all in it together’, while not haveng a clue what it’s like to have to manage if you can’t find the rent this week (or the next), or have to look for bargains on the food counter all the time, etc, etc. And at the other end we just see how great it is to lead a rich lifestyle, get exposed to a get-rich-quick and celebrity culture, without understanding that nowt is for free. The rhetoric in Anthony’s post would seem to mask some basic truths that need to be addressed in some way. It also had some bias – mentioning fiddling of MPs expenses while ignoring fiddling of benefits for example. The issue here is probably that MPs should know better, and be leading by example. The bit that caught my eye in here was the reference to selfishness which is probably as close a reason as any for many of the actions we’ve seen. If one feels unfairly treated by the ‘system’ then surely the response is to attack the system, NOT your community, or even someone elses. And where is the rationale for blocking children into buildings and setting them on fire.The problems with society have, I think, been coming at us for the last 50 years. These things can’t be addressed overnight, the inertia in a social system is just too great. If we take action now I reckon I’ll be lucky to see the benefits arrive in my lifetime.
Fryerman, some good points. I particularly liked your thoughts on how different ‘classes’, for want of a better word, often could not empathise with each other due to a lack of shared experience.
What you clearly seem to miss is that simple word ‘Governance’. The UK has been governed with a bias in favour of the wealthy scum like a colluding clique of a ‘gentlemens club’. The arrogance and obfuscating way they conduct this governance over the last 40 years has resulted in mass inequality, poverty, misery and hate. Those entering postions of power and influence are cut of the same cloth. Ex Eton boys and privately educated scum who are taught to be indifferent to society and, go about their business with ruthless arrogance backed up with a system honed by their kind. Incompetence scum who have used deliberate light touch governance and political favours to keep their vile mitts on the reigns of power.
Britain is just as I have pointed out above and, I make no apologies for it. A disgusting country that is the epitome and central cause of division and hate and poverty.
You may choose to forget the bank bonus scum, fiddling MP expenses and ‘austerity’ measures perpetrated by these vermin people but, the result of riots and civil strife is a consequence to be seen. It will be an excuse to use further repressive dictatorship tactics of bullets, canon, etc. but, like Egypt, Greece, Libya, and the ‘Arab spring’, it will result in civil war in the UK with the rich pitched against the poor.
My knowledge of history and the Hitlers reign of terror is good and, the reason why I draw a comparison between UK governance and the Third Reich. Both evil regimes except the damage to the people of the UK continues unabated at the hands of the vile rich scum terrorising the UK poor.
The UK, England in particular, has at its core, a system of greed. Predatory capitalism that has allowed a minority to control most of the resources and media control just like the US. This system is deliberately guarded as a means to maintain the stranglehold the wealthy scum have over the population.
The inevitable outcome of all this inequality has yet to manifest. Imprisoning thousands and thousands of UK citizens like they do in China, will not address the issues and, nor will ‘criminalising’ every movement or opposition expression people act out.
The arrogant scum at the centre of UK politics will continue their vile ways and the situation will get worse to the point of radicalisations and civil wars.
British children are not terrorists. They are victims of a vile country of inequality CAUSED by colluding scum governments, banks, corporations and wealthy individuals.
Welcome to the reality of Britain.
Using emotive language also creates obfuscation, as it puts peoples backs up, and stops them reading calmly. I can’t see any sort of parallel between any of our governments and the 3rd Reich myself. That’s not to say they aren’t biased. Of course they are. As with any system the bias will be in favour of those with power, because they can make things happen. I’m afraid that’s life. Wherever you look there are regimes that subjugate parts of their population.so why pick on the 3rd Reich? What about Stalinism in Russia, china under Mao, the situation in. Borneo, Iraq under Saddam? The trick is to learn from these and try to make things better where we live. Revolution and violence don’t work, history is littered with their failures. The system we have here may not be perfect, but it’s ours, and we all have a responsibilty to make it work. We get the governments we deserve when we vote. That’s democracy.
BTW People get labelled according to the way they behave/act. I think I must be behind the curve here as I haven’t heard of children being called terrorists – yet. But it won’t matter if such ‘children’ are victims or not. If they behave like terrorists, then that is how they will get tagged. Their parents need to take them on one side and point out the error of their ways.
You may consider those in power to be ‘that’s life but, those in power are suppose to be there to serve the country, not themselves. Governance of equality and promotion of a harmonious society but, what we have is the complete opposite.
It doesn’t take much intelligence to deduce the consequence of such discriminatory governance…. well justified crimes as a form of fending off evil inequality.
My choice of the Third Reich was deliberate to stir an emotive response. Many people in the south of England still spout/contribute daily to a continual anti German rhetoric. They forget the war is over! The comparison to the damage to poor people in the UK by the system we’ve had for 40+ years is likened to the German atrocities.
To talk of other regimes is pointless given we get brainwashed every day about them eg. North Korea, China, Iran, Somalia, Yemen, etc, etc. The UK is just as bad.
We don’t get the governments we deserve when we vote if the choice is between two manipulating evils, that are made up of the same kind of scum.
I attached the word ‘terrorist’ to the children rioters of the UK because, just about anybody who is disapproved by the UK government is branded a terrorist. Its such an over used propaganda word it might as well be attached to the UK looters. Sorry, should that be UK criminals, thugs, anarchists, louts, gangsters, ethnics, immigrants, thieves, muggers, unemployed sponging parasite, benefit scrounging, lazy, uneducated,drug dealing, unruly, militant terrorists?!
The reason those who CAUSE this civil hate and inequality are not confronted are simple, it exposes the wealthy scum as the root CAUSE.
Welcome to the reality of Britain.
I wouldn’t bother arguing with him. He’s clearly made his mind up and won’t be swayed by rational argument. Save your fingers the strain of typing, it will do no good!
Watching the coverage of the Manchester riots during last night I was suddenly struck by the idea that these youths were playing a very real game of Grand Theft Auto.This game allows you to wander around shops and take what you like, usually by force of some kind, to drag people from their cars and steal them and go for a joyride mowing people down if they happen to be in your way, and to set fire to buildings etc. The underlying theme is to always stay one step ahead of the cops and when they do catch up with you you fight back. Given that this game is immensely popular with kids as young as 11 I wonder if the virtual freedom and the total lack of a feeling of connectedness to the other ‘people’ that they experience in the game has somehow been made real for them in some way. Just a thought..
Not the apocalypse you’re right. But the idea of a major test and/or battle tonight does sound fairly…apocalyptic.
As a divorcee who raised 2 children through the Thatcher era, paid mortgage with no help from government as they only took into account rent paid.
I gave my children boundaries and discipline, I took the time to explain the boundaries. Had a full time low paid job for flexibility to use holidays to see to my childrens needs.
I worked hard not only at my job to ensure an income, but even more when I got home to care for my children. Any day out had to be saved up for and to ensure the maximum of spending money for my children. I prepared all the food and drinks for the day, packed in a large bag with extra clothes in case the weather changed.
During this era benefit scroungers would go out regularly to the local pub.
A bag of chips was a treat/reward to my children. To those on benefits many of their meals were bought from the chip shop or chinese.
Both my children grew up to be hard working caring individuals who are raising their children the same way.
Several years ago I bumped into one of the children of a family who lived on benefits. He had turned out to be a responsible hard working young man, unfortunately his siblings did not and followed in their parents footsteps.
So where is shortage of money relevant to how a child is raised to be a responsible member of society.
I can remember the mods and rockers fighting each other and the police wading in and belting seven bells out of all of them.
The rioters would have had something to complain about if that was still the policy.
It cannot be allowed that everytime the police shoot a black man with a gun that the persecution and rascist card comes into play.
We hear all the do-gooders claiming their from a deprived area, they have no money the have no prospects.
Sorry, my employer closed and I am now on jobseekers and that is reduced because I was responsible and paid a PPI to cover my mortgage costs. As there is a small amount over because last year I got a good deal on the house insurance my jobseekers is reduced by that amount.
I still have to pay all the electric, gas, water, phone, broadband (as I really want a job and it is cheaper than paying bus fares to use the library internet each day)TV Licence, food, clothing, bus fares to sign on and to attend job interviews.
I do not have a landlord to pay to service my gas boiler or pay for repairs and maintenance I have to buy the stuff for repairs and do them myself if I am able.
There are many in this country with similar stories and are suffering the same if not worse. Did we go out and riot NO WE DID NOT.
We write to our local MP, David Cameron and Nick Clegg. Not only for the injustice of the benefit system, which needs to be re-aligned to prevent young girls seeing having a child as a way to benefits for life.
Also to give those at the bottom of the pay scales enough to live on. To cap Electric, Gas, Water and Petrol prices. To regulate banks and bankers bonuses
To Iain Duncan Smith
The causes which led to the destruction,looting, arson, endangering of human life and the taking of lives. Has been growing for years as successive governments did not take action and stop anti-social behaviour and the growth of gang culture.
The do-gooders and human rights lawyers.
They come from a deprived background
They are persecuted because of the colour of their skin, because they dress a certain way.
As someone who forms opinions of people on their attitude and who they are. Not the colour of their skin or what they wear. I couldn’t care less if they were pink polka dot martians with antannae sticking out of their heads.
Having listened to those young black people (I believe that is the pc term) who have voiced their views. They feel as though they have been marginalised, dis-regarded and persecuted by the police and society. Are they now discounting the fact that their were white youths amongst the disturbances? Or are the whites just plain criminals?
I remember a few years ago gang violence and shootings grew so bad that
Extra police had to be placed in these areas to prevent the innocent being hurt or killed.
New police policies were devised to take those who carried guns and knives off the street before they had a chance to use them.
A softly softly approach was taken to prevent accidently triggering an escalation.
Extra money was diverted to those areas to provide.
Youth initiatives.
Job initiatives.
Community initiatives.
I re-iterate it does not matter what the colour of a persons skin, if they are committing crimes and anti-social behaviour then they should be punished.
As to police persecution, could they possibly be reacting not to the colour of their skin but to the way that some of the youths in these areas aggresively respond to them.
QUESTION
If all on these estates were law abiding responsible members of society, whether they were employed or not.
Would there be a need for additional policing? Would there be a need for special units to deal with knife and gun crime?
Would their be a need for extra social workers?
Would the crime rate be as high?
Would the courts be over burdened?
Would the legal aid bill be as high?
Would the truancy rate be as high?
Would illiteracy be as high?
ANSWER
NO.
It is because there are persons within these communities that are not responsible law abiding members of society that there is a high police presence carrying out the policy to protect the innocent and catch the law breakers.
There are many law abiding responsible members of society in these areas and they feel marginalised. As if they are the ones being punished. There are those that applied themselves at school and know the difference between right and wrong.
If it was justifiable to riot because you live on the bread line, in poverty or cannot get a job, then half the population would be rioting.
IT IS NO EXCUSE
Could it be their jobseekers ceased?