MercoPress, en Español

Montevideo, March 29th 2024 - 08:29 UTC

 

 

Third night of rioting, looting and clashes with police in several London districts

Monday, August 8th 2011 - 20:01 UTC
Full article 57 comments

Youth hurled missiles at police in northeast London on Monday as violence broke out in the British capital for a third night. Protesters threw bottles, rubbish bins and supermarket trolleys at officers, and police with riot shields responded by charging them as they tried to seal off a busy area around Hackney Central station. Read full article

Comments

Disclaimer & comment rules
  • Fido Dido

    England is way to dangerous for tourists. They've should have never received the olympic Games. This incident show's they aren't capable of providing security for tourists from those thugs that live there.

    Aug 08th, 2011 - 08:16 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • briton

    silly boy
    They are criminals and nothing more,
    Looting theft smashing things,
    Criminals and nothing more .

    Aug 08th, 2011 - 08:58 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Fido Dido

    Really Briton? They are just criminals and nothing more?
    Your silly government is proud of tools like you. :D

    http://www.businessinsider.com/theresa-may-police-cuts-london-riots-2011-8

    Aug 08th, 2011 - 10:35 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • xbarilox

    It's Twitter's fault guys, haven't you heard this truth? lol

    Aug 08th, 2011 - 10:40 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Fido Dido

    lol, this all happened because of Twitter and Lamebook.

    Aug 08th, 2011 - 10:43 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • briton

    criminals nothing more

    Aug 08th, 2011 - 10:50 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • O gara

    London is falling apart.Social cohesion has collapsed and the police are completely unable to control an apalling situation.The riots tonight have reached Englands second city Birmingham as the frightful poverty caused by the European depression have reached unbearable levels for much of Englands population.The IOC will have to seriously consider moveing the Olompic games to a safer location as it appears the English authorities are unable to protect their own population from the mobs not to mind the influx of foreign visirors expected in 2012

    Aug 08th, 2011 - 11:47 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • briton

    and it all your fault,
    proud are you,

    Aug 08th, 2011 - 11:50 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • O gara

    Why is it my fault for Gods sake what a stupid statement.The English government has spent billions fighting military wars abroad as its internal cohesion has collapsed.Dont shoot the messenger who has told you this is the inevitable consequence of spending money on militaty adventures as people at home are on the verge of starvation

    Aug 08th, 2011 - 11:53 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • zethe

    “lol, this all happened because of Twitter and Lamebook.”

    Was all blackberry messages, All the gangs in london have seen this as an excuse to call a “ceasefire” and are now just organising with eachother to steal stuff.

    It's very bad at the moment but to be fair to the met there arent many police forces who could deal with chaos at this level at so many locations at the same time. This is all over london, I think tomorrow they might call in the army to sort it out.

    Aug 08th, 2011 - 11:53 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • O gara

    The army can only be avery short term solution.We have seen the results of their savagery in Ireland.What is happening here is the response of desperate people unable to find work or dignity as the economic situation in England is heading for complete collapse

    Aug 08th, 2011 - 11:57 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • briton

    11 O gara relaxman
    you cant blame the economic situation in England
    thats rubish, this is nothing more than thugs thieves and the like,
    their is NO exuse for what they are doing, millions of people do not have things, but they dont riot do they,
    criminals they are, and criminals they always will be,

    Aug 09th, 2011 - 12:05 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • NGE

    The rioters are gang members, chavs and other lowlife bottom feeders just looking for an excuse to loot shops, steal and cause mayhem. Nothing more and nothing less. I saw it en vivo tonight on the streets of London.

    I know a lot of you on here will rejoice in what's happening, although I hope not.

    Aug 09th, 2011 - 12:15 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • briton

    im off now, i can hear the niose from here,
    back in the morning
    night all

    Aug 09th, 2011 - 12:20 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • O gara

    buenas noches a pesar de todo I hope you are safe a
    the same for everyone else there.

    Aug 09th, 2011 - 12:22 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • zethe

    “What is happening here is the response of desperate people unable to find work or dignity as the economic situation in England is heading for complete collapse”

    What is happening here is the result of a load of kids using an excuse to steal stuff. nothing more. If this was in any way related to something of substance they would be targeting government buildings, not shopping centers and markets. This is about kids stealing for money, nothing more.

    Aug 09th, 2011 - 12:23 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • O gara

    Mmmmmm strange country where parents allow thousand of kids on the street in the midst of serious riots.But?????????????????????????

    Aug 09th, 2011 - 12:29 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • zethe

    Strange? Possibly. Seem to remember talking to a friend who was out in ireland, on a weekend, while the latest irish riots were going on.

    Aug 09th, 2011 - 12:37 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Marcos Alejandro

    Cameron enjoying the Tuscany sun (just back) and Qadaffi confuse watching the riots in his bunker, is this London or Tripoli?

    “Descent into hell as London burns”

    http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/3741353/Woman-leaps-from-block-of-flats-into-the-arms-of-cops-in-third-night-of-London-rioting.html

    Aug 09th, 2011 - 05:01 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • ElaineB

    This is very sad for the multi-cultural communities that, as a rule, live and work well together. The vast majority of Londoners are law abiding and good people. A small element of people involved in gang culture are responsible for this anti-social behaviour.
    Make no mistake, these are not deprived people protesting against the system. They choose to live outside of the system, on benefits and through criminal activity. The fact that they are targeting mobile phone, sports wear and electirical shops to loot, tells you everything you need to know about their greedy mentality.
    Our police force do not face this kind of behaviour on a regular basis. As I said, the majority of Londoners are law-abiding and work within the law. This is exceptional and without cause other than greed and lack of discipline.
    It is a good point to question why so many young people are out on the streets late at night (though it is not actually thousands causing this mayhem). I wonder what the parents think when their kid walks through the door at 1.00 a.m. with a stolen Wii under their arm and a new pair of Adidas trainers on their feet. I would be the first to turn them in.
    They don't NEED these items, they WANT them. And because so many young people are raised in a consumerism society they are used to getting whatever they want when they want it. They are not deprived, they are spoiled and without morals.

    Aug 09th, 2011 - 01:29 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • geo

    Londoabad is very problematic city !

    UK has : 156.750 units police
    UK has crime recorded by police : 5.755.000
    UK has prison population : 89.000

    No:1 in Europe !!

    Aug 09th, 2011 - 02:00 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • ElaineB

    @21 I am guessing your age is 12 or 13 so I am making allowances but could you try to take your finger off the exclamation mark and try to engage in a useful debate, just for once?

    Aug 09th, 2011 - 02:12 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • geo

    [] - 22 Elaine

    sometimes few numbers are more important and economic
    than long unproductive sentences..we must know truth by numbers

    well known that the UK has low standard education levels (may be
    the real reason of aversion from numbers ! ) in Europe.

    here is the some numbers of UK education truth :

    UK is highest in EU 27 about : Pupils/Teacher = 20,4
    UK is lowest in EU 27 at the proportion of 18 years old on education
    is 51,5 %.

    Aug 09th, 2011 - 02:32 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • ElaineB

    @23 You are back on ignore. Speak to me when you are capable of an adult conversation.

    Aug 09th, 2011 - 02:38 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • geo

    []- 24 Elaine

    for all sense you mean adult & healthy...don't you !

    i am adult & very healthy( no ilness)
    but i don't know my health would be , if i have been living in UK .

    in some health indicators .(in EU 27)the UK has LOWEST levels..

    some numbers :

    Practising Physicians =270 per /100.000 persons ! [ A ]
    Hospital Beds = 350 per /100.000 persons ! [ B ]

    even in Greece ; [A ] = 600....... [ B ] = 480

    Aug 09th, 2011 - 03:03 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Think

    Let's remember what some Brits had to say, a few days ago, about a violence episode in Argentina:
    http://en.mercopress.com/2011/07/29/one-officer-and-3-civilians-killed-during-eviction-of-a-landsite-in-north-argentina

    1 Be serious Jul 29th, 2011
    How very civilized.

    2 ElaineB Jul 29th, 2011
    Kinda like a wild west shoot-out. I was wondering if the impending eviction of a large traveller community in Essex will deteriorate into similar violence.

    3 GeoffWard2 Jul 29th, 2011
    Seems like the police must have shot the squatters needing to be legally evicted, and concurrently shot each other.
    Plausible?

    4 ukkelper Jul 29th, 2011
    There maybe valance when the travellers in Essex are moved on, but there will not be trigger happy police shooting the travellers, like there was here, how long will it be before we have some one saying that it was not the police that were shooting, but the violent mob that would not do as they were nicely asked to do, is this what CFK meant when she says we will look after the poor.

    5 briton Jul 29th, 2011
    and where are the argie bloggers to defend argentina,
    hiding again, its all your fault they will be saying .lol

    What a Bunch of Haughty British Turnips

    Aug 09th, 2011 - 06:24 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • ElaineB

    @26 You misunderstand me entirely. I was drawing comparisons and implying that it could as easily happen in the UK. That chip on your shoulder is blinding your perception.

    Aug 09th, 2011 - 06:35 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Tigre2000

    oh well so much for British democracy,
    how embarrassing Britt Yobos and low lifes taking over
    London streets how sad.

    Aug 09th, 2011 - 06:36 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • geo

    the posters who wants to talk theirself , would go more fit sites..
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    # comment 203

    http://en.mercopress.com/2011/03/31/argentina-promotes-world-wide-malvinas-discussion-under-the-logo-of-it-takes-two-to-tango
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    the readers can find this article from archive if the link can't work !

    Aug 09th, 2011 - 07:57 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • GeoffWard2

    Brasil's Elite Troop would clear the streets locally, but even they would find that electronic telecom management of anarchy stretches resources.

    England could easily screw the country down by lethal force - such as is done routinely elsewhere - but it would produce a different society.
    This is the great dilemma.

    Personally, I am in favour of Nascimento's approach.

    Aug 09th, 2011 - 10:41 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • briton

    26 Think ,,the only turnip on here is you
    pot -kettle-black you are quick to throw,
    but not to catch
    we all have problem, to make a comment [find]
    but to insult is not,
    you list us,
    but very quickly forget your stupid remarks over the norway killing,
    that makes us all as bad as one another,
    peace brothers peaceeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

    Aug 09th, 2011 - 11:03 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Fido Dido

    http://www.volkskrant.nl/vk/nl/7304/rellen-in-engeland/article/detail/2842514/2011/08/09/Wie-zijn-die-relschoppers-en-wat-willen-ze.dhtml

    Here dutch news paper who those “thugs” are and why they create problems”. I copied and pasted here the english version so those ugly brits can read it. If it doesn't work, use google translation.

    Aug 10th, 2011 - 02:09 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Marcos Alejandro

    Britain used to be a rich and civilised country with many trains, a rule of law and benefits for the needy, they say. I say no more.
    One week is the phone hacking scandal another the riots across England, what's next?

    “Rioters need jobs”
    http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/8689622/Rioters-need-jobs-says-Carpetrights-Lord-Harris.html

    Aug 10th, 2011 - 04:47 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • zethe

    Having fallen out with several people over this week i can say that not one person i knew who had anything to do with the riots had a job, and thats not because they couldn't find one or even tried.

    Aug 10th, 2011 - 06:38 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • ElaineB

    @34 You know some of the people involved in the looting? I don't but I noticed a lot of them were of school age looking for some excitement in the long holiday. Not likely to be working.
    It doesn't surprise me that many of the adult criminals do not have jobs and chose to live outside of society, draw benefits and live off the spoils of crime. Many have talked about them being members of the gang culture evident in parts of London.
    It stands to reason that people who work, earn money to buy their possessions, support their families and take part in society are less likely to want to destroy it.

    Aug 10th, 2011 - 09:45 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • GeoffWard2

    Under the Riot Act (1714-1973) British Home Secretaries could use lethal force (shooting to kill) – and, historically, Transportation - to quell and punish riotous assembly, mayhem and damage to public & private property.

    The Riot (Damages) Act (1886-) provides compensation for Losses by Riots.

    In 1986 The Public Order Act once more addressed the protection of the person and property from acts of Riot, where more than 12 persons gathered to challenge the Law.

    In recent year ‘Riot’ has been rarely invoked, with the police favouring the lesser condition of ‘Violent Disorder’. The reason for this is that, under the POA, the local police service is statutorily liable to pay compensation for losses and damage caused by Riot; not so, under Violent Disorder.

    Riot is an indictable offence under the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005, triable on indictment before a Crown court, and punishable by up to ten years imprisonment and/or a fine.

    My problem with the current police/politicians stance in the face of riots is not that hundreds of feckless and degenerate young individuals will be imprisoned for a full ten years (as they will), but that the police have been told NOT TO ENGAGE BY FORCE to stop the mayhem when it is happening.

    I shall seek the re-introduction of the Riot Act, with the option of lethal force, by whichever government replaces this present administration which has been damned by its pusillanimity.

    Aug 10th, 2011 - 10:36 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • lsolde

    l know what the police in lndonesia or Malaysia would do. And it works.

    Aug 10th, 2011 - 11:43 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • ElaineB

    I listened to Cameron's update this morning. Magistrates are sitting through the night to process those charged and in almost all cases they have been remanded in custody. I have no doubt they will be dealt with harshly as an example. Magistrates have been referring the more serious cases to Crown Court where they can impose longer sentences if they are found guilty. The PM stated that anyone found guilty of violent disorder will get a prison sentence.

    Interestingly, I haven't heard the PM call it a riot yet. Probably because of the lability to pay damages.

    We police by consent in the UK and I wouldn't want that to change. I do think that the police are criticised to often and too harshly for doing a tough job.

    Aug 10th, 2011 - 11:50 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • geo

    [] - 37 Isolde

    do you live in No : 203 house ?

    you can find the No:203 adress from comment #29 'link on this page!

    Aug 10th, 2011 - 01:43 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Rhaurie-Craughwell

    Well well the Argie lunatic bloggers have wet their knickers in joy with their usual silliness.....most isn't even worth a comment enough said...

    Aug 10th, 2011 - 02:42 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • zethe

    “You know some of the people involved in the looting?”

    I did, refuse to talk to them after finding out they've been out there robbing people.

    Aug 10th, 2011 - 03:46 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • ElaineB

    @41 Yeah, I don't think I could be friends with anyone involved in looting either. I would make me question everything about their character.

    Aug 10th, 2011 - 04:00 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Fido Dido

    “Rioters need jobs”

    And there are no jobs and the UK is still losing jobs. though some clowns here will still admit, that's not the case here, there just a bunch of brats.

    Aug 10th, 2011 - 06:19 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Jefferson's soul

    Situation is terrible... It is easy to say “they're just criminals, no more”... Well If I were you I would face the problem instead of trying to ignore it, you should do something and act quickly, the economy is falling down and the side effects could be dangerous...

    Aug 10th, 2011 - 06:24 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • briton

    they may or may not think they have a reason,
    but they or anyone else has no right under any circumstances to, [rob- steal-smash-mug-assault-even commit murder,, in the name of [ive got no job, or future]
    what about all the people who’s businesses have this day been destroyed,
    people who have been burned out of there homes,
    CRIMINALS , let them be caught, let them be punished,
    Then you can talk about who is right—who is wrong-
    That’s not an opinion, that’s a fact, im here ive seen the fxking devastation,
    Criminals, full stop.

    Aug 10th, 2011 - 07:30 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • geo

    [] - 44

    the solution is converting to the Republic....

    Jefferson ! , as like once you had made it from the Atlantic beyond !

    Aug 10th, 2011 - 08:31 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • briton

    well im off for some tetleys
    later friends,
    peace

    Aug 10th, 2011 - 08:55 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Marcos Alejandro

    Interesting comment from a Brit in the middle of the war zone:

    ”So let me get this clear now...................
    Everybody on here agrees people should respect the law and be nice to other people.

    But the politicians fiddle expenses. ( which is illegal. )

    And journalists hack phones. ( which is illegal.)

    And police appear to be reluctant to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

    ( which winds people up. )

    and take bribes from journalists ( which is illegal )

    Malvinas occupation and stealing of natural resources around it( which is illegal )

    And now loads of ordinary people are looting from shops. ( which is illegal.)

    And other loads of ordinary people are forming vigilante gangs. ( which is illegal, isn't it?)

    And kids on Facebook are inciting riots by typing stuff ( which is apparently illegal )

    And tabloid readers posting comments to shoot the looters ( which apparently isn't illegal at all , but is almost exactly the same as the kid on Facebook )

    And I'm trying to follow it all on Twitter ( which is bound to be illegal soon )

    So now we've got politicians AND journalists AND police AND criminals AND kids AND adults running about all over the place every night trying to show who is the toughest of the bunch.

    And some people think it might be a really great idea to add to all the confusion by adding rubber bullets, water cannons and God knows what else, because shooting bullets at people always calms them down.

    What's left for tonight? Are the Buddhists sending off for their Amazon baseball bats yet?

    Aug 10th, 2011 - 09:13 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • lsolde

    @39geo,
    Please be more specific, old chap.
    @48Marcos,
    Good story, but you ruined it when you added that ridiculous “m” word & the sentence that it was in.

    Aug 10th, 2011 - 10:23 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • O gara

    Amigos Argentinos on one level Cameron is shattered with this violence but the Army chiefs are delighted.Here we have a situation of massive recruitment for the armed forces to die for the Queen.The thugs will receive rehab which could mean some trips to the US where the old electricity will come into play and praise praise praise when they obey their masters.It never ends and assholes like these are wiling to pay the price of a sick society which never changes

    Aug 10th, 2011 - 11:56 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Wayne Bird

    Well considering the corruption and violence that goes on in Argentina I think its funny all these messages. Who knows one day the Brits may come down to Argentinas level. At least there won't be all the trouble from a Boca vs River game this season aye, lol.

    Aug 11th, 2011 - 12:17 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Marcos Alejandro

    49 lsolde, The story was incomplete without mentioning the illegal occupation of Malvinas. I am glad that you enjoy it otherwise.

    Aug 11th, 2011 - 03:32 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Wayne Bird

    The 1850 convention treaty settled all differences between the two nations. To break them is illegal.

    Aug 11th, 2011 - 07:50 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Forgetit87

    “What is happening here is the result of a load of kids using an excuse to steal stuff.”

    Zeth, that's too simplistic. The rioters may be mostly thugs - but that can't be used to explain what is happening right now. The rioters have been in England for many years, haven't they? I reckon some of were even English-born. And many of them had already had careers as drug dealers and what not. So why didn't the riots happen before? Why are they only happening now? Their motivations may not be morally legitimate, but that doesn't mean the riots have such an easy explanation as 'random thuggery' as you're suggesting. Something made these people tick.

    Aug 11th, 2011 - 03:41 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • briton

    its all over now,
    the clean up begins -and the courts begin punnishment,
    whatever that may or may not be,
    what mr camaron says---and what the courts give-are two entirely different things .??

    Aug 11th, 2011 - 06:25 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • GeoffWard2

    We have seen variously demonstrations, riots and all out wars throughout much of the Southern Europe and North African regions.

    The street violence model has been 24/7 viewing throughout most of the world for the best part of a year, following economic disruptions and social impacts for even longer.
    The disposession, displacements and refugee migrations have coincided with elevated levels of unemployment.
    There has been a serious loss of purchasing power of what money people have, a reduction in pensions, and a compacting of the machine of state provision.
    The years of development in a dependency culture have produced an under-class of under-educated, unemployable young people.

    All these factors have come together to cause the feckless, the weak-minded and the opportunistic to exploit the opportunity offered by a police force unwilling to challenge physically through a real fear of legal action being against them.

    A nation - England - suffering from both these social fractures and also a fearful police force enabled individuals and groups with no moral compass to smash, steal, injure and rage

    Aug 11th, 2011 - 09:33 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • O gara

    We dont often agree Geoff Ward but your analysis of whats happening is pretty close.England like most of western Europe will have to see thru much deeper cuts in the years ahead.This will be even more painful.Do these countries have sufficent stability not to face collapse.Time will tell

    Aug 11th, 2011 - 10:44 pm - Link - Report abuse 0

Commenting for this story is now closed.
If you have a Facebook account, become a fan and comment on our Facebook Page!