London riots spread like wildfire!
In all my years of living in London, this is by far the most shocking and unbelievable calamity that has befallen us. For those of you (lucky) people on the other side of the pond or other parts of the world will probably be unaware of the situation that currently has England in sheer agony and turmoil.
Thursday 4th August, Mark Duggan was reportedly shot dead during a ride in a minicab by Police force that had been following him. Reports alleged that Duggan shot at Police first, however after ballistic results were issued, it revealed that Mr Duggan did not shoot at the Police, and in fact was not even carrying a gun.
Groups of across the nation, particularly in Tottenham were outraged by this news and as of Saturday 6th August youths took to the streets, rioting, looting and vandalising buildings, cars and other private and public properties. The riots spread like wildfire from Tottenham to Enfield, Hackney, Croydon, Camden, Lewisham, Clapham and many other areas within Greater London. Buildings continued to burn, innocent civilians were mugged and beaten, stores and businesses were broken into and vandalised, and many supermarkets and retail outlets were looted. What more, even busses were stopped in traffic, the driver and passengers pelted with stones and bricks and then the petrol bombs thrown in, burning the entire vehicle.
All this down to the shooting of one man? No. The outraged has long died down and now the youths committing these atrocities are using social networking sites to collaborate in different areas and encourage other yobs and hoodies to do the same. What started out in London has now spread across other parts of England, including major cities such as Birmingham and Manchester. The youth have drifted and diverted from the issue surrounding of Mark Duggan, instead their crimes are down to the fact that the Police are not able to stop them in such large numbers, nor are their identities being given away. These youths think they’re untouchable. And sadly, I’m beginning to think the same.
Though the Police are trying their best to prevent any other cities and towns from being ransacked to the ground, these people are far more intelligent and well planned in targeting areas were authority is scarce. It seems even the government is taking a back seat in awe of what is happening around us.
A lot of Londoners and other inhabitants of England (myself included) are suggesting getting the Army involved. Of course, this will cause much controversy, not to mention most of the Army is already else where, fighting wars of their own. England and other parts of the UK want to retain the Police & Community relationship, working together to bring harmony to each region. But with these yobs going round each night, hitting different streets and towns and ultimately burning people’s homes and businesses’ (not forget transport) what else can we do? It’s obvious these people aren’t scared of the Police nor believe they will be stopped.
What is happening to this country?
For those of you who know me personally will know that as of January this year I moved out of London. I am safe where I am now, as the town I am in currently has not been targeted and God willing won’t be. However, I have three sisters and a brother (who is currently staying with us now) who live in the parts of London that have been targeted and vandalised, not to forget the many friends and work colleagues I left behind. I’m so utterly ashamed by this behaviour and though I’m not very old (23 really isn’t old right?) I never in my life have gotten into a school fight, yet these youths are breaking an arm length’s of crimes. If they don’t respect the Police or other authoritative figures, who else can set them straight?
Lord help us all!
Thursday 4th August, Mark Duggan was reportedly shot dead during a ride in a minicab by Police force that had been following him. Reports alleged that Duggan shot at Police first, however after ballistic results were issued, it revealed that Mr Duggan did not shoot at the Police, and in fact was not even carrying a gun.
Groups of across the nation, particularly in Tottenham were outraged by this news and as of Saturday 6th August youths took to the streets, rioting, looting and vandalising buildings, cars and other private and public properties. The riots spread like wildfire from Tottenham to Enfield, Hackney, Croydon, Camden, Lewisham, Clapham and many other areas within Greater London. Buildings continued to burn, innocent civilians were mugged and beaten, stores and businesses were broken into and vandalised, and many supermarkets and retail outlets were looted. What more, even busses were stopped in traffic, the driver and passengers pelted with stones and bricks and then the petrol bombs thrown in, burning the entire vehicle.
All this down to the shooting of one man? No. The outraged has long died down and now the youths committing these atrocities are using social networking sites to collaborate in different areas and encourage other yobs and hoodies to do the same. What started out in London has now spread across other parts of England, including major cities such as Birmingham and Manchester. The youth have drifted and diverted from the issue surrounding of Mark Duggan, instead their crimes are down to the fact that the Police are not able to stop them in such large numbers, nor are their identities being given away. These youths think they’re untouchable. And sadly, I’m beginning to think the same.
Though the Police are trying their best to prevent any other cities and towns from being ransacked to the ground, these people are far more intelligent and well planned in targeting areas were authority is scarce. It seems even the government is taking a back seat in awe of what is happening around us.
A lot of Londoners and other inhabitants of England (myself included) are suggesting getting the Army involved. Of course, this will cause much controversy, not to mention most of the Army is already else where, fighting wars of their own. England and other parts of the UK want to retain the Police & Community relationship, working together to bring harmony to each region. But with these yobs going round each night, hitting different streets and towns and ultimately burning people’s homes and businesses’ (not forget transport) what else can we do? It’s obvious these people aren’t scared of the Police nor believe they will be stopped.
What is happening to this country?
For those of you who know me personally will know that as of January this year I moved out of London. I am safe where I am now, as the town I am in currently has not been targeted and God willing won’t be. However, I have three sisters and a brother (who is currently staying with us now) who live in the parts of London that have been targeted and vandalised, not to forget the many friends and work colleagues I left behind. I’m so utterly ashamed by this behaviour and though I’m not very old (23 really isn’t old right?) I never in my life have gotten into a school fight, yet these youths are breaking an arm length’s of crimes. If they don’t respect the Police or other authoritative figures, who else can set them straight?
Lord help us all!