Antidote to Cretinism

Just when you begin to despair of the darkness, someone shines a light. The Metro newspaper reported yesterday, "They came brandishing brooms and some were even wielding riot shields - but only to use as makeshift trays for cups of tea. This is the 'we-can-fix-it, yes-we-can' army in action just hours after violent mobs had appeared to symbolise broken Britain". Many were heard to say, "More broomsticks than Hogwarts" as teams swept up around Clapham Junction railway station.

I read this as I was listening to a BBC radio interview with two 17 year olds in Croydon, who thought the riots were 'fun'. You can listen to the brief interview here. It was 9.30am, and the girls were still drinking stolen rose wine from the night before. They said,

"Everyone was just on a riot, going mad, chucking things, chucking bottles - it was good though. Breaking into shops - it was madness, it was good fun. It's the Governments fault. I don't know. Conservatives, whoever it is. It's the rich people who've got all the businesses, and that's why all this happened". They hoped that further crimes would follow. By the way, these two said that they had jobs.

There have been over 1500 arrests so far, with nearly 700 already brought before the courts - in Nottingham the youngest is an 11 year old girl. I await to see what 'tough' action will be meted out as promised by the Prime Minister in Parliament today.

Enough of the rioters whose aim was to destroy, let's give thanks to those dubbed the "Riot Wombles" who have turned up in their hundreds across devastated cities to help re-build. They came to work, not just to sympathise; brushes, pans and bags in hand. Parts of Britain may be broken, but these volunteers have shown that other parts are alive and well, and cares about the communities they come from, and the suffering communities further afield.

The debate has started (even though we've been there before); why did all this happen? What can be done to prevent it ever happening again. Some say it's poverty, others that it's the effect of the cuts, others that young people have nothing do. I was wondering, watching so many young people dressed in designer shoes, designer jeans and designer tops whether this was poverty. The one thing that I will say though is that the debate should focus on how to get people engaged in their local areas. Whatever the logistical problems, this has to include the young people, parents, schools, members of the local communities, central and local government, Police, the Churches and anyone with an interest. It may have been tried before over many years, but it's worth trying again if we are to have a future society that is safe for all to live, work and play in.

There is no desire on my part to demonise young people, but as they have been at the heart of every riot, it is right that the spotlight of attention is shone onto them.

I finish as I started by being grateful for the community spirit that has mobilised so many 'helpers' when the community needed them most. It really is an antidote to cretinism.

Reading the Riot Act

I wasn't going to comment on the riots sweeping London and other major cities, because the blogosphere, TV, radio and newspapers is full of little else.

However, two things have made me change my mind. One was listening to comments on the TV and radio from leaders on politics and the community, and the other was seeing that Nottingham had become embroiled in it all. I felt myself getting angry, frustrated and depressed, the more I listened to, and saw events unfolding. I just had to get some thoughts out of my system, and down in print.

I'm sure that we're all aware by now of the events over the last three nights in London, and which last night spread to Bristol, Birmingham, Liverpool and Nottingham. This morning's Nottingham Post had the above headline, describing the events of last night and five pages of coverage. It also had as sub-headlines,

• St Ann's police station firebombed
• Looters target Victoria Centre
• 100 police out on city streets

It's not all bad news though, as the final sub-headline was, "Forest v Magpies game will go ahead" - god forbid that civil unrest should affect a professional football match.

The London riots followed a peaceful protest about the killing by the Police of a London man. I have no idea whether this man was carrying a gun or not, and listening to his partner speak on TV this morning, I'm none the clearer. She said he would walk away from trouble, and was a good man. It reminded me of a known thug in a town I lived in who was also shot during a Police raid on his home. To listen to his family and friends, you would think that he was to be nominated for sainthood, when it was well known how he terrorised the local community, and very few mourned his death.

I also don't know whether the riots were co-ordinated, or simply each subsequent riot is just copying the other. Perhaps there is something in what the Chairperson of Hyson Green community group BOBS says, "I could sense it was coming. Young people do not seem to have the sense that you have to work for what you want. They think that they are entitled to it and can just take what they want. They have no scruples and no morals".

What is it all about? This morning, a BBC newsreader was still calling the rioters, 'protesters', but protesting about what? They interviewed an inarticulate youth, who with his coat covering his head, in answer to the question what was he protesting about, said, "It's the Police, innit?" Well thank you for that piece of enlightened journalism. He then went back to his rioting and looting. The peaceful march was a protest, but what followed was nothing less than mindless, thuggish criminality.

So who is in control of this situation? TV pictures have shown fire-fighters standing by while buildings burned as it was too dangerous to go in. Police lines have stood firm while watching buildings being looted. The Prime Minister has returned early from holidays, and his big decision is? To re-convene Parliament. Oh good, more hot air to add to the flames. The Home Secretary has declared her disgust, and promised that the perpetrators will be brought to justice. But the Police can cope, and there's no need to bring the army in. Our own Assistant Chief Constable in Nottinghamshire has said, "Faces have been captured on CCTV. Forensic evidence has been obtained. There will be absolutely no hiding place for these criminals responsible and they can expect to be arrested for their actions". The Deputy Leader of Nottingham City Council has said, "There is a message to parents that it is very, very important that you talk to your children, you know where they are and you take a proper adult responsibility". Come into the real world sir. There is no responsibility or control from thousands of parents - they lost it, if they ever had it, years ago.  I'm sorry, but none of this is good enough for communities worrying about another night of riots in their areas. Who is in control? And what is going to be done to bring a halt to night's of violence and mayhem?

I was listening to a London community worker on the radio this morning, who was saying that part of the reason for the disturbances was that young people's 'dreams and aspirations' were not being realised. Excuse me, but I've worked with many young people from disturbed, deprived and disaffected backgrounds, and for many the problem was that they never had any dreams or aspirations to begin with, let alone to realise them. Many of those that did have, worked hard to realise them, and clawed their way out of the slough of despond. And it's many of these people who have suffered through the night's of riot, looting and arson.

Aaron Biber in his Barber's Shop, Tottenham

I apologise to Archbishop Cranmer for nicking this photo from his blog site. It was one of the most moving and symbolic of the effect of the riots on innocent people.

Take Aaron Biber opposite. He's 89 years old, and has been running his Barber's shop in Tottenham for the last 41 years. Rioters trashed his shop, and stole his equipment, including his kettle. In Croydon, a family owned department store which had been run by them (five generations) for over 100 years was completely destroyed by fire. Small, independent shops in many high streets in London had been ransacked. Many of these owners had come from the very same communities as the rioters, but had made something of themselves, and the only good thing about it is their determination to re-open as quickly as possible. Of the St Ann's riots in Nottingham, the Assistant Chief Constable said, "The most appalling, and incomprehensible aspect to last night's events, is that the majority of those involved, we believe, live in the very community they attacked. It was their neighbour's home, their neighbour's car, their neighbour's peace of mind that they violated". Who is in control? And what is to be done?

The politicians and police promise arrests and court action, but I remain sceptical. I anticipate a slap on the wrist or a small fine. The courts would much prefer to send the likes of 85 year old Norman Scarth to prison for six months. His crime? He illegally recorded a court hearing. Yes, he broke the law, but six months? The rioters, looters and arsonists with get off much more lightly. So what should happen?

What isn't needed is more legislation, as what is currently available is more than sufficient, if only it is treated seriously. The days have gone when we can take seriously the words of the East Midlands MEP, Roger Helmer, who wrote on Twitter, "Memo to COBRA: Time to get tough. Bring in the Army. Shoot looters and arsonists on sight". So what is the law relating to rioting and arson?

In 1715 the Riot Act was brought in to deal with civil disturbances. Specific wording from this act had to be read out before the crowd. If the crowd did not disperse after the act was read, lethal force could legally be used against the crowd. This act was removed from the statute book in 1973, and later replaced by the Public Order Act 1986. Section 1 of this act refers to the offence of Riot. This offence of Riot requires there to be at least 12 people present, and if less than 12, the lesser offence of 'Violent Disorder' is charged. It is patently clear that in the latest riots, more than 12 people are involved, so the serious offence of Rioting can be brought against every single convicted individual.

The worrying thing is that this serious charge of Riot has rarely been brought. Why? Did you know that the local police service are statutorily liable to pay compensation for losses and damage caused by Riot? Many of you will remember the Poll tax demonstrations of 1990, where nobody was charged under Section 1 of the act. All were charged under the lesser 'Violent Disorder' offences, as though a collection of these offences had just happened to take place in one location. This was justice driven by money, not by law. Riot is an indictable offence under the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005, and is punishable by up to ten years imprisonment. Currently over 600 people have been arrested in London, and I'm sure that each one qualifies to be charged under Section 1 of the Public Order Act 1986. Send each to prison for the maximum period of 10 years. That's one powerful statement to say that public disorder in the form of rioting will not be tolerated. The power is there to do it, but I fear that what we will get is, "You've been a naughty boy. Go away and don't do it again".

Arson comes under The Criminal Damage Act 1971, and comes under different levels of seriousness. I've had a number of convicted arsonists as clients over the years, and each one were loners who liked to set fire to things for the thrill of seeing the flames. Each was different in the seriousness of their crimes, and in their mental state, and this was reflected in the different sentencing they received. The morons who rioted and set fire to cars and buildings are a different breed, but are none the less guilty of arson. Looking at the Crown Prosecution Service guidelines to Judges, and examples of case law, the average length of prison term for those convicted ranges from two to six years. However, the law allows for sentencing for serious arson attacks to be life imprisonment. Will those convicted rioters and arsonists be dealt with seriously? I very much doubt it.

Please let there be no more enquiries, no more studies, no more reports into the lives of certain city dwellers. We've had social condition reports coming out of our ears. We've had millions poured into deprived communities. We've had endless initiatives on employment and activities, and as one Residents' Association local Chairperson said on the news tonight, "We've provided so much for our young people, but they won't use it, I'm banging my ahead against the wall".  Please, no more.

Many will disagree with my hard stance, and my views have no doubt changed over the years, but if the full force of the law is not to be brought down on the heads of convicted perpetrators, I ask again. Who is in control? And what is to be done? 

Northern Ireland - a few days of sadness

Belfast Riot 20th June 2011

While in town today, I treated myself to lunch. Jacket potato, chicken curry and a side salad. Very filling, very nice and just £3. The news came on the television, and there was a report of last night's riot in East Belfast. I thought, 'Oh no, not again'. The pictures on screen (see above) could have come from any time over the last 40 years.

On returning home, I checked out the various news outlets to see what was being said, and a familiar story unfolded. The riot happened in the Lower Newtownards Road area of East Belfast, with the main target being the Short Strand district. The BBC reported that "a large group of masked loyalists rioted overnight in the Lower Newtownards Road attacking police vehicles with petrol bombs as well as homes in east Belfast's Short Strand area". Up to 500 people were involved in the rioting, and it seems as if shooting was heard from both sides. For those unfamiliar with the geography of this area, the Short Strand is a mainly Nationalist (Catholic) area with a population of about 3,000. It is surrounded by a generally Unionist (Protestant) population of about 80,000. The inter-face between the two communities has always been tense.

One of the Councillors based in the Short Strand is Niall O Donnghaile (Sinn Fein), who is also this years Lord Mayor of Belfast (incidentally the youngest Belfast Mayor ever at 25). Sinn Fein believe that the rioting was orchestrated by the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF), and this was also the view of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI). The UVF is supposed to have declared a ceasefire. Mr O Donnghaile says, "There is no doubt that this was unprovoked and was a carefully orchestrated and planned attack on this area". The Ulster Unionist, Michael Copeland, while not denying UVF involvement said that he believed the violence followed attacks on Protestant-owned homes in the Lower Newtownards Road. So it was retaliation.

There you have the classic Ulster position. It was "them" who started it, not "us". As ever, the BBC Ireland Correspondent, Mark Simpson summed it up beautifully. "The riot in east Belfast was another reminder that Northern Ireland has a peace process but it does not have peace". The process is moving forward, in spite of the efforts of those from both sides to de-rail it, and the process must continue, even if, god forbid, a few generations must pass before true peace is accomplished.

Lord Mayor Niall O Donnghaile

While last night's riot in East Belfast is disturbing, it is unfortunately something that does occur from time to time. Without any apology, I say that of far more sorrow to me was the report published a few days ago in Northern Ireland on the suicide rate in 2010.

A total of 313 deaths were recorded as suicides, which is the highest number ever recorded in Northern Ireland for a single year. I came across this figure while reading a website article by the Mayor of Belfast. He said, "Last year 313 people took their own life which is a record for the North. I am extremely concerned that many of those who died were young people who came from social disadvantaged areas. This year has also seen the highest number of maternal suicides with five women taking their own lives, which is an extremely worrying development, and shows that more needs to be done to support new mothers. Areas of North and West Belfast have nearly twice the death rate through suicide as the rest of the North, and young males are particularly at risk. ... We need to look at ways of combating this in a way that encompasses all agencies working together, rather than the piecemeal approach currently taken".

Of the 313 deaths, 240 were males and 73 were females, with the most common age group being between 25 and 34, though 1 in 8 deaths were in the over 60's age group. The report was presented by The Institute of Public Health, and its Associate Director, Owen Metcalfe said, "Men's health issues in times of economic recession are made more difficult by their tendency to take fewer health preventative measures, and be less likely to seek support. The combination of perceived inadequate service responses and the reluctance of many men to communicate their problems mean that a large proportion of more critical effects are undoubtedly hidden". The report linked unemployment and the current economic climate to the rise in mental health problems in men in Northern Ireland. High stress levels, over-use of alcohol and drugs, relationship problems and isolation were among the main causes.

To cover the period 2006 - 2011, The Northern Ireland Suicide Prevention Strategy and Action Plan was produced, called "Protect Life - a shared vision". While being a fine document, it is clearly not working, and perhaps the Mayor is right when he mentions the "piecemeal approach currently taken". Northern Ireland has a population of around 1.7 million, and while suicide rates as a percentage of the population (0.018%) are on a par with the Republic of Ireland and Scotland, they are way too high. Looking at the figures for the last few years tells us that we are not getting to grips with the problem. With suicide figures in brackets, we can note the following: 2005 (231); 2006 (291); 2007 (242); 2008 (282); 2009 (260); 2010 (313).

I find it interesting to compare these figures with those who took their lives during 'the troubles'. In April 1991, The Ulster Medical Journal (Volume 60, number 1), published an article where researchers examined methods of suicide between 1964 and 1988. During that 24 year period, 2168 people committed suicide, which is an average of 90 per year. However, in the early to middle 1970's, at the height of the troubles, the rate was just 50 per year. So, since the end of years of escalating violence, the suicide rate has increased dramatically, and largely in the same areas that felt the full brunt of violence.

Thankfully, attitudes to suicide have changed over the centuries. LaRita Archibold, in an excellent summary of attitudes, called "Religious Reflections on Suicide" says, "Legal and social attitudes about suicide throughout history evolved from canonical law. During the Middle Ages, the suicide was deemed as low as the lowest criminal, and was discouraged by exhibition and desecration of the body, defamation of the memory and confiscation of the estate by the government, leaving the surviving family ostracized and destitute. Attempters (of suicide) were punished by flogging, imprisonment and were stripped of all social and financial assets. Desecration of the corpse and forfeiture of estate were not legally abolished in England until 1823. In 1961, England repealed its law making attempted suicide a crime". So, only 50 years ago it would have been a crime to attempt suicide.

Unfortunately, there is however still a stigma associated with suicide which presents a large barrier to giving help. There is an excellent website called "Stamp out Suicide", and in trying to explain stigma it says, "Death is not something we discuss in everyday conversation. We do not feel comfortable in the knowledge that we will die someday and so such conversations are not commonplace. Indeed, given that we are driven by our survival instinct, is it little wonder we find it particularly difficult to comprehend when we hear that someone has taken their own life? Because people do not feel comfortable talking about death, and because there is a stigma associated with suicide, people who are suicidal may withhold their feelings and not seek help. This presents a major problem".

Arguably, there is more isolation than there has ever been, and the reasons for suicide are many and varied. However, there is one thing that all people either attempting, or committing suicide have in common; they can see no way forward except to take their life. They are feeling down, distressed and depressed, and what they need is empathy, help and support. Men, notoriously see it as a weakness to share their feelings, and so hide what they are going through from those around them. In a distressed state, we cannot see a way forward on our own, but there can be a way, but it might need others to show us that way. There are no easy answers, and I wouldn't pretend to have any, but it's a truism to say "that once a suicide is completed, there is no cure". We all can play a part by watching out for family, friends and neighbours; get over the stigma and be available to provide help.

So, in East Belfast, rioters were engaged in summer rituals of hating your neighbour, while individuals in the same city are struggling with how to get through today.

"Although we live in an ever changing world, showing compassion must never go out of fashion".