2011 England riots

2011 England riots
Alan Stanton · CC BY-SA 2.0 · source
Name	2011 England riots
Caption	Tottenham riot on 6 August 2011
Date	6–11 August 2011
Location	England, United Kingdom
Caused by	Police shooting of Mark Duggan
Methods	Looting, Arson, Vandalism
Result	5 deaths, 1,957 arrests, 1,101 charged

2011 England riots. The 2011 England riots were a series of civil disorders that occurred in England, United Kingdom, involving looting, arson, and vandalism. The riots were sparked by the police shooting of Mark Duggan in Tottenham, London, and quickly spread to other areas, including Birmingham, Manchester, and Liverpool. The riots involved Metropolitan Police Service, West Midlands Police, and Greater Manchester Police, and were widely condemned by David Cameron, Theresa May, and Boris Johnson.

Background

The 2011 England riots occurred in a context of austerity measures introduced by the Coalition government (2010–2015) led by David Cameron and Nick Clegg. The Public Sector Spending Review had led to significant cuts in public spending, including youth services and community programs, which had a disproportionate impact on deprived areas such as Tottenham and Brixton. The London Borough of Haringey and London Borough of Lambeth were among the areas most affected by the cuts, which were implemented by Eric Pickles and Iain Duncan Smith. The Trade Union Congress and Unite the Union had warned about the potential consequences of the cuts, which were also criticized by Ed Miliband and Harriet Harman.

Causes and motivations

The immediate cause of the riots was the police shooting of Mark Duggan in Tottenham, which was investigated by the Independent Police Complaints Commission and Metropolitan Police Authority. However, the underlying causes of the riots were complex and multifaceted, involving social inequality, poverty, and lack of opportunities for young people. The Joseph Rowntree Foundation and Institute for Public Policy Research had highlighted the growing income inequality in the United Kingdom, which was exacerbated by the financial crisis of 2007–2008 and the subsequent recession. The BBC and The Guardian reported on the social and economic conditions in the areas affected by the riots, which were characterized by high levels of unemployment and deprivation, as measured by the Index of Multiple Deprivation.

Riots by location

The riots occurred in several locations across England, including London, Birmingham, Manchester, and Liverpool. In Tottenham, the riots began on 6 August 2011, with looting and arson attacks on local businesses and police vehicles, and were responded to by the Metropolitan Police Service and London Fire Brigade. In Birmingham, the riots involved clashes between youths and police, with West Midlands Police and British Transport Police deployed to the area. The University of Birmingham and Birmingham City University were among the institutions affected by the riots, which were also condemned by Liam Byrne and Jack Dromey. In Manchester, the riots involved looting and vandalism in the city centre, with Greater Manchester Police and Manchester City Council responding to the disorder.

Response and aftermath

The response to the riots involved a significant deployment of police and emergency services, including the Metropolitan Police Service, West Midlands Police, and Greater Manchester Police. The Home Office and Ministry of Justice were also involved in the response, with Theresa May and Ken Clarke playing key roles. The BBC and Sky News provided extensive coverage of the riots, which were also reported on by The Times, The Guardian, and The Daily Telegraph. The British Red Cross and Salvation Army provided support to those affected by the riots, which were widely condemned by politicians and community leaders, including David Cameron, Ed Miliband, and Boris Johnson.

Investigation and trials

The investigation into the riots was led by the Independent Police Complaints Commission and Crown Prosecution Service, with Scotland Yard and National Policing Improvement Agency also involved. The trials of those accused of involvement in the riots were held at Crown Courts across England, including the Old Bailey and Manchester Crown Court. The judiciary of England and Wales, including Lord Judge and Lord Neuberger, played a key role in the trials, which were also reported on by The Law Society and Bar Council. The sentencing of those convicted of riot-related offenses was widely debated, with some arguing that the sentences were too harsh, while others argued that they were too lenient, as discussed by Ken Clarke and Theresa May. Category:Riots in England