In August 2011, we saw shocking acts of opportunistic criminality and vandalism which ruined local businesses, shattered streets and made people feel unsafe in their own homes. So begins the Government’s response to the Riots, Communities and Victims Panel’s final report on the August 2011 riots.
The Government said: “The high levels of criminality and anti social behaviour seen over those few days were not acceptable. Although the rioters were made up of a minority of those in society, it was key, that following the riots, we ensured the criminality was addressed through the courts and law was upheld to bring the criminals to justice. This sent a clear and strong message that rioting and looting will not be tolerated.
As the Government admitted, the riots shone a spotlight onto the devastating impact of gang and youth violence. The Government said: “The Panel concluded that the problems surrounding the riots are wide ranging. We share this view which is why shortly after the riots we quickly embarked on a social policy review and programme of action to tackle entrenched problems.”
As for criminal justice, the Government said that an effective justice system is paramount in sending strong warning signals to criminals, including rioters, about their behaviour.
The Government gave the example that in the immediate aftermath of the riots Community Payback teams were deployed in Manchester clearing glass and debris. In Croydon graffiti proliferated on a wall surrounding the local sports ground after the disturbances. This caused alarm to local residents and it was removed by offenders undertaking Community Payback.
“Many rioters chose to move out of the locality in which they lived in order to do damage in neighbouring areas. We are therefore taking action to enable landlords to impose housing sanctions on tenants and members of their household where they choose to wreck other people’s local communities as well as their own. Following consultation, we have included provisions in the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Bill to enable landlords to seek to evict tenants where they or members of their households are convicted of riot related offences, committed anywhere in the UK.”
The Government summed up that the criminality of the rioters shocked the country and cannot be tolerated. The Government claimed that police and courts took ‘commendably swift action’ in bringing the perpetrators to justice on behalf of the vast majority of law abiding citizens who want to see justice delivered. “We are and will continue to take forward action to address the entrenched issues highlighted in the Panel’s report. While we will not excuse or explain away criminal behaviour we will continue to work to strengthen and support communities and tackle social disadvantage. Through our programme of action on reducing crime and reoffending, supporting families, improving the education of our young people and tackling unemployment we are helping to build stronger, more resilient places.”
For the report in full click here.
