Riots blamed on community relationship

The relationship between the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) and parts of the London community is being blamed as one reason for the recent rioting.

It has been suggested techniques such as random stop and search tactics have led to aggravated feelings towards police.

One criminologist and filmmaker has argued black communities do not feel represented by the MPS, thereby causing tension.

Roger Graef, who produced Who killed PC Blakelock, a documentary about the murder of Keith Blakelock during the 1985 Broadwater Farm riots, said these tensions could have contributed to violence and were similar to those seen in 1985.

However Kit Malthouse, deputy mayor of London and chair of the Metropolitan Police Authority, defended the MPS’s relationship with the community.

He said: “Being sensitive towards community relations is something the police have been working on over the past couple of decades. Things are massively improved, particularly in relation to police and the black community.”

Mr Graef said there remains a problem within the MPS when it comes to black officers and as long this remains, community relations will suffer.

“I have been told by a number of black officers they feel the MPS is not treating them equally and they feel they do not get the promotion opportunities,” he said.

A MPS spokesperson said: “We have an unprecedented number of black and minority officers and staff within our force which has resulted in a much more diverse workforce.”

Mr Graef also warned the violent scenes could be repeated in the future as government funding cuts mean young people have less help and opportunities.

He said: “I think this is going to set off more trouble and we are going to see more of these events because those people will have nothing to do.”