paulward50

I fear it's only a matter of time until it sparks somewhere this side of the pond. All those arrested should be shipped out to Afghanistan and see if they want to run riots through the streets there. Cowards.

randomgirl

Couldn't agree more! They're scumbags who aren't even rioting for a cause - all they're doing is stealing, attacking people and trashing the place.

avanutria

I've been watching the youtube videos of the Ealing riots, as I used to live there. The one I just watched had some closeups of people looking very pleased with themselves for what they're doing.

I'm glad we're not still trying to sell our old house there...

Bluegrass Lass

Only visiting my husband here in Glasgow at the moment, and have to say I don't really comprehend the way police are reacting to this situation. I don't understand why they aren't using the force necessary to prevent this stupidity from occurring. I don't condone police violence, but there does come a point when its almost necessary for the protection of society.

randomgirl

They all look very pleased with themselves, they clearly have no shame. They're not starving people stealing bread to feed their families, they're just thugs out to take whatever they can get, whether that's stuff from shops or regular hardworking people. I saw an article today with a photo of a guy having the clothes off his back stolen from him! How much worse is this going to get?

The worst thing is the police don't seem to be able to do anything about it...

randomgirl

Yep, as far as I'm concerned the police should be using all force necessary. As it is, the looting and violence is going on right in front of the cops and the scum are getting away with it. Even those who get charged will probably just get a slap on the wrist... The longer they let it go on, the worse it's going to get.

CelticRover

Yes, this English recreational looting and rioting makes Glasgow seem quite civilized.

Bob

Stretched to thin on the ground. Simple as that.

When you've had a huge number of police being reduced in size, protesters/rioters able to move around via twitter etc so quickly that the cops aren't able to get around, never mind to get ahead of this. It isn't a surprise.

Anyway, it's what insurance is for. I'd personally rather the police took a softer approach than shoot or beat some unfortunate innocent person up, and they can go arrest these dick heads later with the evidence gathered rather than flair things up with more of a stand off approach.

Because that worked so well in LA with the Rodney King riots etc.

Poppy girl

Haven't we already got about 6 threads going on this topic!!

avanutria

Perhaps, but since this one isn't in Take it Outside it shall remain polite

Poppy girl

For how long LOL

AmerLisa

Well hopefully it will remain on topic.....

Octang Frye

I don't think it's that simple. While I'm sure many of the rioters are just using this as an excuse to riot and loot and cause mischief, there are other factors at play here.

I'm not condoning the rioters actions, but it was pretty obvious something like this was coming. Perceived cuts in the welfare state, unemployment, racial tensions, growing gap between the richest and poorest incomes, liberal education policies which have failed the kids, producing a generation of under-educated, unskilled people dependent on government hand-outs.

Let's look at the problem with the Met. It appears the police killed Duggan when he was not a threat and then tried to cover it up. Yes, the guy was not a choirboy, but that does not merit police execution.
The police are the largest armed gang operating in the UK, have a monopoly on force, and they act with impunity. I can cite numerous examples where they abuse their power and there are no repercussions. Corruption, blatant cover-ups etc. from Jean Charles de Menezes, Ian Tomlinson/Simon Harwood, the custody sergeant who threw the lady headfirst onto the concrete. I could go on and on.

You know me and you know that I think Britain became a police state a while back. I sympathize with blacks in London after they get stopped and searched time after time, living under constant surveillance. This would make me angry too.

I agree that destroying your own neighborhood is sheer idiocy, and I feel for the people who have lost their livelihoods and their homes. The same thing happened in LA, where the predominantly black population destroyed its own infrastructure. It's crazy.

Britain is still obsessed with class. Typical newspaper article will include the following - blah blah, said Mr Area Man in his 350,000 pound detached house with a Jaguar and a "4x4" parked in the driveway.
And a lot of British people are envious or resentful of others' success.
As an example, listen to these geniuses:

"Showing the rich people we can do what we want"

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-14458424

Octang Frye

Yeah, I agree. Maybe if it rained, that would tamp things down.

Manc

too many guns and make my day laws.