‘This law and order is dishonest. I get stopped and searched. You won’t’

RESIDENTS of a London housing estate laughed at a televised plea by police for parents to call their children and help rein in the youths who looted and burnt swathes of the city.

Not only were some of the parents at the riots themselves, but many of those taking part were not the hooded, teenage delinquents on which many have pinned the blame for the worst street riots Britain has seen for decades.

“Some of the parents were there. For some parents it was no big surprise their kids were there. They’ve gone through this all their lives,” said a 22-year-old Afro-Caribbean man who gave his name as “L”, voicing the frustration and anger felt by youth and parents over yawning inequalities in wealth and opportunity.