Brixton Riots

Question 1

Describe the causes of the Brixton Riots

Answer 1

• January 1981- house fire caused the death of 5 black youths
• Michael Bailey’s death

Question 2

Describe Brixton in the 80s

Answer 2

• one of the highest crime rates in London
• police patrols had increased
• stop and search tactics used on anyone suspected of a misdemeanour; 8 times more likely to stop a black youth
• high unemployment
• poor housing
• limited prospects

Question 3

Describe Michael Bailey’s death

Answer 3

• spotted by policemen running away from 3 other youths
• bleeding from a stab wound
• rushed to hospital in back of police car
• rumour he died from police brutality

Question 4

Describe the Brixton Riots

Answer 4

• 11th April 1981
• during stop-and-search of a car as a part of Operation Swamp
• policeman hit with a brick
• more police arrived and crowds grew
• window broken, jewellers looted, buildings set on fire, cars and police vans overturned and set on fire
• over 1,000 police sent from all over London

Question 5

Describe the short term consequences of the Brixton Riots

Answer 5

• nearly 300 policemen hurt
• over 100 vehicles destroyed
• around 150 buildings burned, damaged or loots
• 82 arrests
• similar disturbances in Toxeth, Liverpool, Moss Side, Manchester, Hyson Green (Nottingham)

Question 6

Describe the government response to the Brixton Riots

Answer 6

• set up an inquiry
• November 1981- Scarman Report
• placed majority of blame on police- too eager to stop-and-search black youths, that the Metropolitan Police was inherently racist, needed to be a new code of behaviour
• 1985- Independent Police Complaints Authority

Question 7

Describe middle term consequences of Brixton Riots

Answer 7

• 1985 and 1995- two more riots following incidents with the police
• 1999- Macpherson Report published after death of Stephen Lawrence