CROYDON RIOTS: 100 days later, 100 people debate the causes and solutions
WITH today (Wednesday) marking 100 days since the riots in Croydon, the Advertiser has spoken to 100 people affected by the events that night.
From those who saw their homes or businesses burnt to the ground, to politicians and the mother of a convicted looter, wee posed six key questions focused on what caused the chaos and destruction and what can be done to prevent it from happening again.
The majority of those questioned believe something positive can be taken from the devastation on August 8.
Many cited a renewed sense of community spirit, the opportunity to remember what is great about living in our town and the violence as a catalyst to address the problems of society.
The answers were vivid and varied with more than a dozen causes identified, suggesting few can agree on exactly why the riots occured even three months on.
Some blamed opportunism (19 per cent) while others pointed to unemployment (12 per cent) and Britain's 'broken society' (11 per cent).
Readers were less divided on what should be done to prevent a repeat in the future.
One in three called for a change in police tactics or more officers on the streets.
Others said the authorities need to find long-term solutions, like investment in youth services (12 per cent) and creating jobs (7 per cent).
Asked for their last memory of what happened in Croydon that night, half the people we spoke to said the destruction of House of Reeves furniture store, now an indelible image iconic of the disorder.
In the first of a series of articles, we highlight some of the most interesting responses, starting with Pastor Clement Okusi, who helps youths turn away from gang culture through his work with Potters House Church, in Thornton Heath.
What were the main causes of the riots?
"A mixture of opportunism and boredom among young people was partly to blame.
"A lot of the rioters also come from homes with absent fathers.
"Good fathers nurture boundaries and discipline but unfortunately the Afro-Caribbean community has a high number of young men who, by the time they are 16, have never been disciplined or mentored by a father figure.
"This means they don't respect teachers or the police.
"Secondly, I would blame the soft approach by the police.
"I believe there was a fear among some police officers that if they were too robust their actions would be on YouTube and they would face disciplinary action."
What do you think can or should be done to prevent the riots from happening again?
"We need honesty from society and leaders not afraid of speaking the truth.
"This links in with political correctness. Most of the rioters were young black men from fatherless homes. This is the elephant in the room no one wants to talk about.
"As soon as David Cameron started speaking about Broken Britain, people saw through his hidden agenda.
"There needs to be significant investment in educating families, especially those of an Afro-Caribbean background.
"We need to espouse the 'nuclear' family, reexamine sex education, tax-breaks for married couples and promote role models."
Do you think the authorities have done enough to address the issues since the riots?
"No. The horse has already bolted. Riots and civil unrest happen every ten or 20-years and our politicians respond to the public mood at the time rather than looking for the real causes."
What do you think about the sentences handed out to those involved in the disorder?
"It's a difficult issue. In one sense the sentences reflected the public anger and fear.
"On the other hand, had someone stolen from a shop six weeks before they would not have got anything like the sentence.
"I understand there has to be a deterrent.
"But it fuels the sense among the working class that there's one rule for us and another for them.
"What about the looting done by MPs with their expenses?
"How does an 18-year-old get sent to prison for stealing a mobile phone and an MP steals £20,000 and avoids court altogether?"
What is your lasting memory of what happened in Croydon that evening?
"That people were afraid to be on the streets."
Can anything positive be taken from the riots in Croydon on August 8? If so, what?
"That we are still a nation with an aggressive spirit, much of which is still repressed, hence football matches have become the last places where men can go out and express their emotions in a masculine manner."
3 Comments
by G_Brigadeiro
Wednesday, November 16 2011, 10:25AM
“I agree with most of what Pastor Okusi said about the causes - except of course for the logistical
point that the police reaction to the riots can't be cited as the cause for the riots. I don't personally know every single person involved in what happened that night so I can't speak for their situations, but in my opinion there is an absence of positive male role models, which is not necessarily confined to the Afro-Caribbean community.”
by nicecityboy
Wednesday, November 16 2011, 9:28AM
“Why this man harping on about afro-carribeans as though the rest of us owe them something?
Why should we treat them differently and help them more when they have created their own sub culture themselves and yes many of the rioters seemed to be from that background.”
by tbabygib
Tuesday, November 15 2011, 6:59PM
“Are we all to Blame? There are so many mixtures out there To choose from. (Marie excuse me please for) saying, Richie, with drug and alcohol problems, No job,. Then you have a millionaire's daughter who has everything, apart from excitement !. So where, does the line stop?... Fatherless kid's?/problem kid's?/unemployed kid's?/rich kid's?............ I don't know you tell me!!!!!!!!! ?”