London riots - Heed lessons of a society’s breakdown

It would be nice to think that the reckless rioting witnessed in London this week could not happen here, but we know that this is simplistic thinking.

It could happen in this country, or anywhere else. Hence it is important that we should learn from the mistakes in London, in order to ensure that if there is a similar outbreak here that it is nipped in the bud.

This week’s rioting has been the worst in Britain since those in Brixton and Toxteth 30 years ago. Following a public inquiry into the Brixton riots of 1981, Lord Scarman concluded that the under-representation of minority communities in the police service was a significant part of the problem. Much progress has undoubtedly been made in that area, but it too early to determine whether it was sufficient.

There is already widespread speculation that modern technology has played a particularly significant role in this week’s rioting. Considerable emphasis has been focused on the part played by social networking, as people have looted shops in areas devoid of police, because they were busily engaged elsewhere. While the impact of social networking may well be exaggerated, it would be surprising if it played no role. It appears to have facilitated some opportunistic looting, but whether this was a cause or a consequence is a different matter.

British prime minister David Cameron called off his holiday and recalled the British parliament from its summer recess to deal with the problem. He has called on the police to take more “robust” action, which is a rather typical Tory attitude, but it is nevertheless likely to be widely welcomed.

There was general criticism that there were not enough police on the ground. Trebling their numbers will be welcomed not only by those in areas to which the violence was likely to spread, but also in the affected areas, because the young people involved in the violence have been hurting their own communities most.

Time and again it has been demonstrated that those who suffer most from such rioting are the disaffected minorities. In many cases, they do not have insurance to cover their losses.

Whatever about the role that social networking has played in the riots, technology — mobile telephone cameras and CCTV — can play a major role in bringing the guilty to justice. Many criminal acts have been shown on television, and there is undoubtedly a vast store of vital evidence that can be uncovered on CCTV.

By showing this on television, people may be able to assist the police in identifying culprits. There should be no question of such material not being shown in order to protect the rights of those engaging in criminal behaviour.

People have no right to rob, burn, or vandalise other people’s property. If there is an explanation for their conduct they have the right to explain this in court under due process of law.