There is an understandable rush to speculation about the causes of the riots and many theories – sensible and ludicrous – are already in circulation. But speculation, as tempting as it is, is not what is needed now. What is needed now is for the disturbances to stop.
By Rob Berkeley, director of the Runnymede Trust, a race equality think tank
Events last night took an unprecedented turn. As streets across London went up in flames it has become clear that this is new territory. Saturday night in Tottenham was one thing, the events of the last two nights have mutated into a very different form of street disturbance.
This is an unprecedented situation that raises a million questions; who is involved in these disturbances, is this about race or class, is this gang-related, what drives people to such extreme behaviour, how did we get here, how bad can it get?
There is an understandable rush to speculation about the causes of the riots and many theories – sensible and ludicrous – are already in circulation. But speculation, as tempting as it is, is not what is needed now. What is needed now is for the disturbances to stop.
The damage to neighbourhoods across the country and to our sense of community is massive. On our current trajectory, the destruction of property, families made homeless, and people living in fear will culminate in loss of life.
No one can or should condone the actions of the looters, robbers and arsonists. The restoration of public order is in our collective interest.
Already, those looking to establish why these events have happened are being lampooned as apologists for criminality. Commentators like Ken Livingstone and Darcus Howe with legitimate concerns about the use of stop and search, the withdrawal of the EMA, or cuts to spending on youth services are in danger of being characterised as if they welcome the riots .
On the right, the hang’em, flog ‘em brigade are on the move, young people are being described as feral and mindless, Black people accused of not being British. Still the streets burn.
Runnymede warned of the impact of inequalities on our society. We highlighted the alienation and hopelessness among large swathes of young people facing discrimination, without prospects of employment, low levels of skills, and poor relations with the police.
But we never supposed that the despair was as widespread as it now appears to be or even that so many people simply do not care enough about the neighbourhoods and spaces where they live or the moral consequences of their actions to desist from destroying them.
We have to admit that this is a new phenomenon about which we know very little. Speculation is not helping.
The scale and impact of these disturbances will require a serious and far-reaching inquiry in due course. We will be among those who will be seeking to find out what has happened and assess what the solutions might be. But first, the looting and violence has to stop.
We can then move from speculation to real evidence. Speculation is beginning to solidify into camps along political lines that will close down the attempt to find solutions rather than aid it.
Speculation in a context of mistrust between the police and the communities they serve marked the response to Mark Duggan’s death that provided the spark in this tinderbox.
Additional speculation about the causes may only serve to fuel further disaster. We need the violence to stop before working out how to make sure we never have to live through a city in disarray like this again.
28 Responses to “Speculation can wait: The priority is to stop the rioting”
Anon E Mouse
Dave Citizen – There are other truisms along with those that you mention.
People are more likely to behave the way others want them to if there is a level of discipline and respect from them which means they wouldn’t dream of destroying other people’s lives and homes to fulfil their desire to steal the latest training shoes from JD Sports or plasma TV’s from Dixons.
People tend to be less likely to engage in random criminality if they have a job/role that is recognised as valuable or worthwhile in their community. So how does that work when a 9 year old was arrested on the first night and many of them are under 16? Why aren’t these little sh*ts in bed at midnight?
All you are doing is typical of the left where the excuses brigade start saying: “I’m not making an excuse but…” and then they start excusing it.
What we should all be in together is a desire to stop people having their houses and property destroyed and living in fear and we should not be giving any type of excuse for the behaviour.
I expect unpleasant suggestions from the likes of matthew fox, Leon Wolfson and joe kane on this blog but you surprise me fella. I do not care why they behave like this – they just need to be stopped – one woman has just the work clothes she was standing in as she watched her flat burn. Every item she owned gone.
People have a right to feel safe in their homes and not have their whole lives destroyed because someone feels “disenfranchised” or whatever and it is inexcusable to try to make excuses for it because there are no valid reasons to destroy people’s lives.
The likes of Ken Livingston and his remarks have just made him unelectable frankly – Labour does not deserve to put forward a mayoral candidate in London if his views are shared by the party.
And sure as the sun rises tomorrow Labour will start blaming government cuts such as not paying bribes like the EMA to these thugs and it will backfire – you can smell it coming already…
Anon E Mouse
Leon Wolfson – Pathetic and cruel remark towards people who have had their homes and lives destroyed. At least your posts here are consistent I suppose.
You say: ” The causes are quite clear, in the way New Labour and now the Conservatives have both attacked those without jobs, even for short periods, not dealt with rising inequality and inflation in food and fuel and finally, for the Conservatives, instituted a plan which will drive many in the areas of out them.”
And how have these drug dealing thuggish gang members who shoot at each other resulting in one death a week been “attacked” as you put it? Let’s see shall we.
Are they “attacked” for not attending school? No. Nothing happens.
Are they “attacked” for criminal behaviour ? No – one arrested Monday night had been to a youth court 40 times and had nothing but ASBO’s.
Are they “attacked” by having underage sex and getting pregnant? No – we give them free housing and money.
Are they “attacked” for anything Leon Wolfson because if they are I don’t see it.
All I see is wanton criminal behaviour by feral thugs who are allowed to live a life of worklessness and criminality and it is excused by the likes of you who somehow think it is appropriate to somehow try and blame governments despite the fact inequality doubled under Labour.
Besides, since you claim to have been shot at, bombed and “ambushed” by a BNP gang (twice), why do you have any sympathy for these disgusting feral youths.
A new low even from you Leon Wolfson. I suggest you crawl back under whatever rock you emerged from this morning and get a life…
Robert
Of course if people in work they can save for the TV the trainers the clothes they steal.
Miliband brave words to day helps a lot, it’s the parents, then at the end it’s society, but his nose job has made his voice worse the plum is still stuck in mouth.
The sad part to all this the Police they are all criminals because we know them, they are criminals, but we are told every week crime is down.
But Labour would never accept they caused this, it must be those work shy Lazy, workless people again, yes the same workless people who came together to clean up the mess, because if they had a job tney be in work not cleaning.
Then I see people with cricket bats and pipes and pickaxe handles protecting a mosque, saying they kill people great.
Then we have gangs of young Muslims out on the street protecting our community, protecting the Muslims community, none of them seem to have jobs since they are all protecting something or other, in the middle of the day.
Boy what a county we have politicians who stole and got away in the main with expenses, we have the top police officers who took back handers and we are told by politicians these youth are criminals
Anon E Mouse
Robert – I would say that both are criminals…
Eugene
Great stuff! I wonder if any of this rioting psychology could be applied to bankers and the financial sector? They have, after all, done far more damage to the fabric of western European society than any average rioter could ever hope to do. Thing is, the bankers have done it in a far more damaging – though more socially acceptable way – than the rioters. Loss of jobs, livelihood, housing, unearned income from looting and greed, asset stripping, destruction of businesses, criminal activity on an unprecedented scale, etc., etc.
Rioting and economic disruption by bankers have no discernible difference between them in the long term – except that perhaps the public pay a far greater price in the imposition of taxes to provide support through bail-outs. And, of course, rioters do not get paid collosal bonuses as a punishment for anti-social activity. But, in economic terms, what, precisely, is the difference?
Curiouser and curiouse, said Alice.