Riots...

[Detroit_Waves]

Hey up all,

Thought id check that firstly everyone was OK currently with all the riots breaking out. I live right in the heart of it in Hackney, luckily however, no trouble has brewed for myself yet although its all pretty tense here right now, especially during day light hours...Everyone running out to stock up on supplies! I'll save my views and personal opinions on the reasons why its happened, and what I think should be done to those who are causing all the trouble, but just wanted to check on everyone and see if anyone else is suffering from their experiences currently!

Im off to grab my broom and go help clean up the neighbour hood!

[Simon Bolivar]

Hi D.W., Glad to hear your OK, stay safe out there. I emailed a friend of mine last night, to let them know I was thinking of them & glad to hear it wasn't near them. This morning they reported there had been trouble in East Ham so I called her at work. They are ok but obviously very concerned; hasn't affected her street yet but this is obviously a very fluid situation & could return tonight.
The only comment I'll make, is that they need to protect the firemen so they can protect peoples flats & homes. How the mob can set fire to a carpet shop with many flats above full of people, above is beyond any logical thinking.
As someone born in the East End, it really is enough to make you weep. All the best D.W. thinking of you, keep in touch.

[Tzusskin]

We've had a bit here in Nottingham but so far nothing more than a few burnt cars in one of the worst areas of the city and an attempted break in to one of the shopping centers. I think it says something about the wannabe looters here that the shop that was targeted was apparently a sports clothing one...

[monkey66]

I'm going to make some comments as I am so angry about this.... of course just MHO's.

This is base criminality, opportunism and nothing to do with the original issues in Tottenham.

This is one of the long-term consequence's of emancipating our teachers and Police combined with our bizarre 'entitlement' culture. Add to this a challenging economic climate and our failure to address the feral youth culture (that has been growing for the last 10 years) and this is the result.

Poverty is no excuse, plenty of us grew up 'without' and it doesn't justify mass criminal behaviour.

IMHO the govt/police should impose a curfew and come down HARD on anyone breaching the rules. It is about time we gave some power back to the Police and reminded these immature kids that we have authority in society for a reason. I will have no concern if the Policing is less than perfect as it is not possible to police perfectly in a riot situation. If you do not want a truncheon over your head/plastic bullet on your ass/tear gas up your nose do not put on a hood/mask and go out on the streets.

I heard on TV one girl when asked what she was doing jumping out of Curry's that had just been looted 'getting my taxes back' ....there is so much wrong with that statement I don't know where to start.

Politics doesn't come into it ....what has Curry's got to do with taxes.

I say come down hard and fast, put an end to this nonsense and then look at the social causes.

Parents of these minors - where are you??? How do you sleep knowing your children are part of this?

My thoughts are for all the innocent people who's lives have been ruined by these idiots.

My thoughts are also with the Police, fire-fighters and ambulance crews ....lets give them the support they need to deal with society's mess.

[Puff Scotty]

Monkey, eloquently said, your MHO's + mine....

[SmokeyDave]

We have family in Peckham, spoke to them today and all is ok there for now.

So so scary how this 'contagion' can spread through cities so fast, our thoughts are with all the innocent people caught up in this and the services who all do a fantastic job.

Lets hope it calms down quickly.

[Simon-JG-hr]

Glad to hear your okay DW - thoughts with anyone in an area affected by this sort of criminality.

Have to agree with so much of what you say monkey. Above all, your comment about 'entitlement' struck true for me. Just saw some young woman in Birmingham telling a reporter that the looting was perfectly acceptable because people didn'd treat her and her friends with respect (innit...). I don't know about anyone else, but I was always taught that you are not entitled to respect, you have to earn respect - and I very much doubt that this young woman (given her manner and demeanor, not to mention the fact that she was looting) had ever done much to earn respect from anyone.

[Fratton]

I hope the full force of the justice system is bought down on those found guilty - maximum sentences! On a personal note I'd like to see these brave "yoofs" facing similarly armed paras

[Jacobwaits]

It's about time the parents took more responsibility and stop blaming there inadequate patenting skills on everything else. No more excuses.

It's about time these 'young adults' learned that life may not be fair and smell of roses all the time but you cannot spend your life acting like spoiled brats who think we all owe them something. No more excuses.


Today I feel ashamed and embarrassed to be here!

[Watkins]

Personally I think this thread shouldn't talk about why, and how to deal with them. The OP was clear in that he wanted to avoid it.
Hope everyone is well, and that it calms down in privately owned property. Thoughts go out to all those involved.

[daverave999]

I'm pretty liberal but there's no excuse for this crap. Entitlement culture says it all. I blame soap operas and reality TV personally.

What will happen to these twats when they are caught anyway? The prisons are full!

[sbthang]

I cannot agree more, with all of the sentiments and fears noted above - I, like most on here, grew up in a world of very little other than the basic essentials of life...and I knew I was lucky enough to have more than many of my peers.

I really can't comment on the origins of all this recent trouble - a man lost his life, in what might end up being dubious circumstances - but every single action that has taken place since has been simply CRIME...no words can justify what has occurred - nothing, zip, nada...

The lilly-livered liberal, apologist culture adopted by politicians, local government, and the centre-left media has contributed to what is going on now - I am totally sick of the society I have seen evolve around me...it has nothing to do with fairness or equality - it is solely about 'milking' the guilt that we as a nation have for all the questionable and indefensible things the British have carried out over the last few centuries.

We have swallowed, hook, line and sinker, the idea that we can't challenge this faux-fairness that exists in our lives these days (such as; women-only shortlists, quotas for minorities etc...) when what is truly fair is to have the right person for the task in hand - I, like many others, couldn't give a stuff if that person is black, white, english, european, african, young, old, male or female...just that they can speak the english language clearly and fulfil their relevant role professionally.

As a white, english male, my opportunities are severely reduced because I do not fall into any 'quota' group - and people wonder why right-wing politics has gained in popularity over recent years...

I know I wandered off a bit there, but the same 'apologists' that have manufactured this society we all hate to live in, are responsible for the riots we have all seen over the last few days...the kids looting on the high streets have no idea just how shitty things could get - they're all just a bunch of jobless, hopeless, talentless twats and I hope the Police use the most excessive force they can in quelling the riots.

If you don't like what I've said - tough...I know I'm right because I live in this stinking country and see what the problems are every single day of my life.

On a happier note, a box of Behike 52's just turned up, so even in this crazy world, some good happens.

Steve

[Lou3]

I was shocked to read about these riots and am glad you're all okay. I heard David Cameron's recent warning, so hopefully things will be under control soon.

What times we live in.

[Pleevy]

I think everyone has covered my views on this pretty well already, so I shall hold in the rant.

While listening to LBC today, a gentleman told us of a young scumbag involved in the riot in Ealing who decided to smash a bottle of beer on the road and then proceed to try and set it on fire! This pretty much sums up the intelligence of the average person involved.

The council came round to many of the Thames Water mains replacement sites today to get everyone to make sure that nothing that could be used as a missile was left on site. Later in the day the Police came and told everyone to move off as they were expecting the same story tonight. I think its about time that we got on the phone to Syria and asked them if we could borrow their book on tactics.

[Bigboned]

My thoughts go out to those innocently caught up in these appalling atrocities and those who are trying to pick up the pieces. Fire is not necessarily best fought with fire though........