The riots in the UK 2011
To me the riots came as a great shock, as it did to all reasonable people in the United Kingdom.
The causes could be several, however principally unemployment may be a partial cause, but as we saw on TV, many of the young, and not so young, drove their cars to the centre of the troubled areas, so clearly, no lack of money there.
The communications appear to have been mainly through facebook, mobile phones and other social websites.
There could have been a naive belief with the organizers, that they could overthrow the government, as has happened in Arabia, Tunisia, Egypt etc; but the big difference is, we are a Democracy, not a Dictatorship.
It must also be realised, that the riots seem to have very little to do with discontentment of those involved, but very much more to do with criminality, destruction of property, vehicles and so much looting by young people, under age, even those with jobs, so it was just through shear greed and by doing so have turned themselves into criminals.
But most importantly of all there were cases of murder in one case a rioter drove his car at 3 men protecting their business; he killed all 3 men-this was so despicable, no better then a serial killer. This criminal should get the full weight of the law, he should, when convicted, never be released from prison.
Another possible trigger could be the previous government allowed almost unlimited immigration into the UK.
I feel this may have caused resentment among local people, where the immigrants have taken jobs for much lower wages.
In comparison there have been no riots in Scotland, even though there has also been immigration, but Scotland is generally policed by democratic control- so the people, in my opinion, have more say how justice is delivered.
In conclusion, I feel in England, the authorities were blind to the potential trouble and were very much, “caught on the hop”.
In the future there needs to be more dialog with local groups that involve young people in decisions for many years to come.
