London Riots

[mattx]

Just wondering if this wonderful government of ours will still continue their plans to reduce police numbers.....

[synaesthesia]

I'm all for the law and what not, but at this precise time I'd rather like to be near enough to the riots to pop anyone wearing a hoody with an air rifle.

[nephilim]

Well they are bringing in tactical unit from the army and have instructed them to shoot with non lethal force and use stun guns.

*edit* this was noted from a bbc twitter that has since been removed so no clues as to how accurate this actually is.

[j17sparky]

It makes me laugh; when confronted by mostly peaceful people (ie G20) the police are more than happy to wade in truncheons swinging, but when there are people who actually deserve a clip round the head they show themselves to be the bottleless bullies they really are.

[strawberry]

Police numbers are irrelevant, horrible scum are going to riot police or not .

[Theblacksheep]

It makes me laugh; when confronted by mostly peaceful people (ie G20) the police are more than happy to wade in truncheons swinging, but when there are people who actually deserve a clip round the head they show themselves to be the bottleless bullies they really are.

Didn't this start with the police shooting a man dead?

The bullet wedged in a police radio was a police issued bullet and a police issued gun was recovered at the scene.

[synaesthesia]

They're going to make a lot more dead people like this.
I would happily shoot anyone seen running around/looting/being a tit in a hoody & mask if seen. If this was elsewhere, it'd be all over by now, there'd be 20 or so dead or injured deadbeats and the point being made, the rest buggered off.

[JJonas]

Lets hope the people involved in this do some proper time.

[nicholab]

People are complaining the Police should have had more group hugs with the community!! Turned the radio off this morning.

[JJonas]

Do we need a separate thread for Birmingham Riots?

[localzuk]

Didn't this start with the police shooting a man dead?

The bullet wedged in a police radio was a police issued bullet and a police issued gun was recovered at the scene.

I've read that the IPCC have said a NON police issue gun was recovered, but the bullet in the radio was police issue.

However, all entirely irrelevant. Rioting is not acceptable. Burning down buildings, stealing goods, smashing property etc... totally not going to get 'justice'.

Anyone taking part should be locked up for a long time in a prison.

What I don't get is why the police are in such small numbers? I've been in animal rights marches where they've had 1000+ police for less than 1000 marchers...

[Theblacksheep]

I've read that the IPCC have said a NON police issue gun was recovered, but the bullet in the radio was police issue.

However, all entirely irrelevant. Rioting is not acceptable. Burning down buildings, stealing goods, smashing property etc... totally not going to get 'justice'.

Anyone taking part should be locked up for a long time in a prison.

What I don't get is why the police are in such small numbers? I've been in animal rights marches where they've had 1000+ police for less than 1000 marchers...

A friend was at a party in another part of london on sat night while it was kicking off. Heavy police numbers were hearding people away from certain areas.

[j17sparky]

Didn't this start with the police shooting a man dead?

The bullet wedged in a police radio was a police issued bullet and a police issued gun was recovered at the scene.

I've heard conflicting reports on that. Not sure what you're getting at?


Watching a live report now Ken Livingston is blaming it all on unrest brought about by students having their EMA taken away and there being no jobs - WTF? I doubt very much many of these thugs are at college and even if they are that's no excuse. I didn't get EMA, I had to work at McDs just like every other kid who didn't have rich parents. And I wonder if he has noticed where these kids live, London! As in the place where there is always going to be a job for anyone as long as they are willing to work. Around here (Middlesbrough) there simply isn't (m)any jobs, yet you didn't see me running round looting and setting fire to things.

Political point scoring.

[DaveP]

This from someone trying to use Google Maps to show an overall picture of what is happening in London:

Link: UK riots 2011 - Google Maps

My current view of the map:



Edit: Live Blog updating events as they happen: The West Londoner [Note: Strong expletives sometimes used in the blog]

Watching BBC news at the moment. Shocking.

[JJonas]

It has its own hashtag now #LondonRiots