Riots in north London

[thatlaurachick]

Apparently, this happened while I was asleep.

LONDON — A gritty north London neighborhood erupted in violence overnight with rioters setting buildings and cars ablaze, looting shops and clashing with police after the shooting of a local man by the Metropolitan Police.

Police warned Sunday morning that there were still “isolated pockets of criminality in the Tottenham area” and officers were being deployed on the streets in the neighborhood after London's worst riots in years left 26 officers and three residents injured. Authorities took 42 people into custody.

Anyone in London know more? Am I just a silly American for thinking that riots aren't all that common in London?

[Elomin Sha]

They were common in the 80s due to old gorm clashes (read as football supporter thugs). They have popped up on occassion during protests mainly by those who want to break things. Last night happened because police shot a man twice while he was in a minicab. There was a third shot which came from a non police issued firearm that hit a radio one officer injured. People gathered at the station wanting justice then the riot kicked off because idiots.

Personally I think there should be a tank division of the police for riots. I think I watch too much New Dominion Tank Police.

[madrak_the_red]

Yep: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-14435251

This is the first I've heard of it, however. I guess that comes with staying in and playing video games all day

Regarding how common riots are: not terribly common, there were a bunch when the student fees went up. Weren't there also a lot in the 80's due to the recession and political climate, elomin?

[thatlaurachick]

No, I agree with Elomin, terrible fashion would be the cause. USaires see pics of some parts of London and wonder if y'all ever left the 80's. *looks are current fashions* Oh wait.... nevermind.

[goat]

Grathleen is in the part of london that is not that part, yes? I hope this doesn't affect their travel plans.

[thatlaurachick]

Grathleen is in the part of london that is not that part, yes? I hope this doesn't affect their travel plans.

Did you just...? You did. Oh noes.

I think they're in a different part. This seemed to be the... less desirable part of London.

[Lyinginbedmon]

Police warned Sunday morning that there were still “isolated pockets of criminality in the Tottenham area”...

No duh.

[PlasmaCow]

Grathleen is in the part of london that is not that part, yes? I hope this doesn't affect their travel plans.

Did you just...? You did. Oh noes.

I think they're in a different part. This seemed to be the... less desirable part of London.

In the grand scheme the riot wasn't particularly big. Tottenham is pretty big. London is pretty huge. No threat.

[The Jester]

I think I prefer Kathlaham.

[Lyinginbedmon]

Kathlaham sounds like a city from Oblivion or something.

[The Jester]

Well.. doesn't that make it geekier, and therefore more apt?

[NickGonzo]

Does it make me a really really bad person to wish I was there when I heard they busted into a Game. I could use with some new hardware, and thats my kind of Looting.

[Elomin Sha]

I say we need more tanks. Tanks for the police, who's with me?

[NickGonzo]

I say we need more tanks. Tanks for the police, who's with me?

I've played Jet Set Radio Future, If the police get tanks, some Cyberpunk roller blader will just spray paint all over that junk.

[Slack Mesa]

I say we need more tanks. Tanks for the police, who's with me?

No.

[Elomin Sha]

We're not China...oh wait the Tories are in power. Nevermind.

[Theremin]

Now we're america. Or will be, I guess.

[Elomin Sha]

Financially yes.

[Metcarfre]

Well, financially, America's Chinese now, so...

[tak197]

Police warned Sunday morning that there were still “isolated pockets of criminality in the Tottenham area”...

No duh.

They mean more than usual.

[sdhonda]

No, you'll be Airstrip One soon enough.

[njsykora]

The riots were over a gang leader and drug dealer getting killed in a shootout with police. There was no protest, it was just a gang going to war with the police. That's what I heard from a friend of mine who had to leave his house during the riots.

[The Mimm]

General proceedure of protests in England:

Group A: We have a cause that may or may not be legitimate
Group B: we disagree with your cause. We're going to badmouth your protest.
Group C: We're bored. Let's wreck shit and claim to give a shit about either of the above arguments.

Or, on some occasions, the protests are started by group C, and then they naturally descend into violence. It sucks, but you kind of become desensitised after a while.

[semysane]

In Vancouver it goes like this
1) Something happened
2) LET'S WRECK SOME SHIT!

[Lyinginbedmon]

What actually surprises me most is that I wasn't aware metropolitan police HAD firearms, so logically they called in the armed police squads, meaning they were already in seem deep salt to begin with and shouldn't be so surprised people died.