5 ms·

Started off as a protest against a police shooting (details will depend on which side you ask) and then escalated. Now it is just vandalizing, destroying proper

by itg 15y ago

Started off as a protest against a police shooting (details will depend on which side you ask) and then escalated. Now it is just vandalizing, destroying property, and looting. Some BBC commenters were saying that for the young guys, the austerity measures with a combination of feeling marginalized, unemployed, and no hope for a future plays a part in this too.

watmough 15y ago
Yes, the eighties austerity, cuts, unemployment and we had riots then too. Local council budgets are being cut. Libraries and swimming pools, after school activities, policing. All being eroded. From what I see of the news, it's somehow different this time. Perhaps more nihilistic, versus the more confrontational riots in the eighties. It definitely seems there's a goal of hitting shops full of 'shinys'. Of course, modern messaging may also be playing a part in enabling more 'agile' riots.
- potatolicious 15y ago
  I remember growing up and watching demonstrations and protests on TV - unless my memory is seriously impaired, something has changed in the decade and half since then. It seems in recent years black bloc tactics have taken over protesting, to the point where one rarely sees peaceful protests anymore. Black bloc animals will seize upon any cause, just or otherwise, as an excuse to loot and cause mayhem - and the worst part is, their mere presence erodes the credibility of otherwise legitimate groups with legitimate grievances.
guelo 15y ago
I had always been told that UK cops didn't carry guns, when/why did that change? Was it a reaction to 9/11 or 7/7?
- parenthesis 15y ago
  UK police don't carry guns, except for special armed units.
- parallel 15y ago
  The city of London has it's own police force called the Meltropolitan Police (the Met). This is a different organisation to the normal English police. I think the Met carry guns but the normal police don't. Rome has a similar thing with the Carabinieri, I understand these guys are part of the military.
  - upthedale 15y ago
    The Met is responsible for Greater London (where all the riots seem to be so far). The City of London Police is responsible for the Square Mile (the actual City) in the centre. The City of London police don't especially carry firearms. That said, you may see more of the specially armed police in the City, simply because of a high terrorist threat
  - waitwhat 15y ago
    The Met is just another regional police force, similar to (and on a level with) the Hampshire or Sussex police. It is only really special because of the size and importance of its area of operations.
  - parallel 15y ago
    ok, thanks for the clarification. I was confusing the The Met with the City of London Police.

by itg 15y ago

watmough 15y ago

Yes, the eighties austerity, cuts, unemployment and we had riots then too. Local council budgets are being cut. Libraries and swimming pools, after school activities, policing. All being eroded. From what I see of the news, it's somehow different this time. Perhaps more nihilistic, versus the more confrontational riots in the eighties. It definitely seems there's a goal of hitting shops full of 'shinys'. Of course, modern messaging may also be playing a part in enabling more 'agile' riots.

potatolicious 15y ago
I remember growing up and watching demonstrations and protests on TV - unless my memory is seriously impaired, something has changed in the decade and half since then. It seems in recent years black bloc tactics have taken over protesting, to the point where one rarely sees peaceful protests anymore. Black bloc animals will seize upon any cause, just or otherwise, as an excuse to loot and cause mayhem - and the worst part is, their mere presence erodes the credibility of otherwise legitimate groups with legitimate grievances.

guelo 15y ago

I had always been told that UK cops didn't carry guns, when/why did that change? Was it a reaction to 9/11 or 7/7?

parenthesis 15y ago
UK police don't carry guns, except for special armed units.
parallel 15y ago
The city of London has it's own police force called the Meltropolitan Police (the Met). This is a different organisation to the normal English police. I think the Met carry guns but the normal police don't. Rome has a similar thing with the Carabinieri, I understand these guys are part of the military.
- upthedale 15y ago
  The Met is responsible for Greater London (where all the riots seem to be so far). The City of London Police is responsible for the Square Mile (the actual City) in the centre. The City of London police don't especially carry firearms. That said, you may see more of the specially armed police in the City, simply because of a high terrorist threat
- waitwhat 15y ago
  The Met is just another regional police force, similar to (and on a level with) the Hampshire or Sussex police. It is only really special because of the size and importance of its area of operations.
- parallel 15y ago
  ok, thanks for the clarification. I was confusing the The Met with the City of London Police.