Summer Riots?

[Gromit]

I get the impression a lot of people are fed up with their lot at the moment, and they are angry and desperate.

I would not be surprised if we see civil unrest on the streets again. When it warms up end of May, beginning of June, then I think there will be trouble.

I hope not, any lawlessness will distract from the Government's abysmal record and could lead to a backlash in favour of the Conservatives.

Anyone else feel a sense of impending menace?

[factor-fiction]

No

[rockyracoon]

'End of May, beginning of June", that sounds a tad optimstic at the moment.

I feel no sense of impending menace.

[factor-fiction]

Many of those affected by thee recent changes are those with disabilities or pensioners, but I doubt they'll start looting footlocker etc

[emmie]

not from riots, no.

[Eve]

I think it won't take much to light the touchpapers. Plenty of people around who just seem to want to jump on a bandwagon as an excuse to cause trouble. I felt a bit of it in the atmosphere are the local EDL/Antifascist faceoff in Manchester some weeks ago, people loitering waiting for something to kick off so they can join in.

To me it reminded me (though on a smaller scale) of the Manchester riots kicking off. I got caught in it and it was similar then, lots of smaller groups lurking waiting for someone to start things off.

[emmie]

FF, exactly unless it's our zimmer frames that start exploding.

[Canary42]

The Poll Tax riots didn't do the Tories any good, so I don't think Summer Riots would either.

But I share your concern about the increased possibility of riots.

[Answerprancer]

Aw go on then, where shall we meet? ;-)

[Eve]

If there are any I think it will be more about lawlessness and troublemaking than with full on political meaning.

I'd hope the swift justice shown would be a deterrent - very visibly so around here - but I imagine they would just be less identifiable!

[emmie]

if there are i will find some place to hide, considering the bloody mess they made the last time. The annoying thing is how they targeted many small shops, those who already struggle to make a living. Wood Green got a pasting, every other shop front was smashed in, and the goods looted from the sports shops and even boots the chemist, not my idea of how to protest, just another looting and mindless vandalism.

[Eve]

There was a large trail of destruction around here too, I would say if there had been a more proactive preventative approach it could have limited damage, not that people should have to, but the day after the riot here the streets were lines with police, they were everywhere, shop windows had been emptied or boarded or secured up (and torrential rain was a bit of a blessing), it a bit like opening the stable door after the horse had bolted, a very muted, barely visible presence the day of the actual riots.

I ended up in the midst (literally right in the middle) of two separate mobs of rioters, the second of which were mainly on bikes, bandanas over their faces, carrying weapons trying to smash their way into shops. I just tried to flatten myself into a bus shelter to hide until the police sirens approached and they scattered. It was terrifying, nothing to do with any political cause or message, just sheer lawlessness.

[emmie]

i didn't go out, this was next day, the mess was indescribable, not to mention the fact that the police were nowhere to be seen,

[China Doll]

I'm with AP! ;o)

Know what you mean, there does seem to be a sense of unease in the air. I'm not sure there'd be anything as dramatic as riots, perhaps a protest or two though.

[emmie]

there already have been protests in some parts of the capital about the cuts, but one can make one's point without smashing up the place. I had no choice but to go out the day after and was truly shocked at the mess. Then watching the footage on the news later with those awful blokes nicking the students wallet and gear, as they pretended to be good samaritans helping him up..

[Gromit]

I suspect a more coordinated attack this time. Anarchists and extreme leftists hijacking a legitimate protest. Similar to how the poll tax riots panned out. No one condoned the poll tax riot, but were pleased when it was abolished. I envisage a rent a mob rather than the petty criminals of two years ago.

[emmie]

so you don't think that many on last years riots weren't rent a mob, i suspect many were, and those others who just got caught up in the mindlessness of it all. I hope this doesn't come to pass, one local bicycle shop loss much of their stock, and lost a small fortune.

[excelsior-1]

Gromit

i applaud your optimism in anticipating some warm weather

[Gromit]

em10
I think the riots of two years ago were by unpoliticised petty criminals. By rent a mob, I mean a politicised anti Government protester rather than petty criminals.

[emmie]

the police said then that there was a core anarchist group who egged on those who were out to cause criminal damage and loot whatever they could.
I am only glad i wasn't out at the time, to be caught up in this would have been horrible.

[Gromit]

I am not deliberately being argumentative, but I have never heard that

// the police said then that there was a core anarchist group who egged on those who were out to cause criminal damage //.

I personally witnessed some of the Manchester riot and I cannot agree that anarchists were coordinating anything.