5 December 2011
Riots Communities and Victims Panel response to Guardianand LSE Reading the Riots findings
Following publication of details from the Guardian and London School of Economics (LSE) interviews with rioters today, Darra Singh Chair of the Riots Communities and Victims Panel said:
“We welcome the findings of the Guardian and the LSE which mirror some of the findings of our own interim report on the causes and motivations for the August riots, which was published last week.
“The Riots Communities and Victims Panel spoke with 20 people who rioted and thousands of people in communities who knew rioters and witnessed the disorder. Our remit was to reflect the views of communities and victims.
“Through original research the Panelalso identified that between 13,000 and 15,000 people were actively involved in the disorder.
“We identified that rioters’ motivations included the perception that they could loot without consequence, and for some - as the Guardian have also found - a desire to attack the police.
“Our focus for the second phase of the Riots Panel’s activity is to look more closely at the underlying causes of rioting we identified including youth unemployment, trust with the police, the role of brands and consumerism, values and parenting.
“As such we look forward to seeing more of the Guardian’s findings.”
Notes to editors:
· Darra Singh is available for media interview in response to the Guardian and LSE findings all week.
· Read the full interim report online at http://riotspanel.independent.gov.uk/
· The online report includes a contact form so communities and victims can provide their views on its findings to the Panel.
· The Panel was announced by the Deputy Prime Minister on 16 August 2011: http://www.dpm.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/news/independent-panel-investigate-riots
· A ‘national call for evidence’ was launched on September 16.
· The Panel is independent of Government. Members were nominated by each of the three main political Parties.
· The Panel members are Darra Singh OBE, Simon Marcus, Heather Rabbatts CBE, and Baroness Maeve Sherlock OBE.
· The Panel will present a final report in March 2012 to the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and Leader of the Official Opposition.
· The interim report includes biographies of the Panel.
· Follow the Panel on twitter @riotspanel
Media enquiries and interview requests for Darra Singh can be made on 0303 444 3651 / 4203 / 07500 606456