London looting - lessons from a battered city - Procurement Intelligence Unit

11
AUG
2011

London looting - lessons from a battered city

Author: Jonathan Webb - Categories: Risk, Economy & Current Affairs

It is perhaps time to discuss the recent disturbances in London. Monday night saw significant unrest in northern, western and southern areas of London. The PIU office itself is in Clapham in the south. Approximately 15 minutes away, some of the most serious looting in London took place near Clapham Junction station.

This is also close to my house - I took the above picture just after the riot police moved in. The area around me saw large-scale looting and attacks. The streets were subject to hours of lawlessness before hundreds of riot police eventually arrived and cleared the streets with baton charges.

The streets around the office still have an edgy atmosphere and most people are still in shock. Fortunately though, everyone is safe.

There now follows protracted discussions on what went wrong and the lessons learned. Undoubtedly, the disorder revealed deep-seated social problems ingrained within British society. But, the key lesson seems to be about the inherent unpredictability of social events.

Even though I have been based in the area for 18 months I still had no idea that I lived in a violent tinderbox. Even now, as normality slowly returns, it is hard to believe that this bustling and fashionable side of London could ever have witnessed such anarchic scenes. But, as with any large centre of opportunity and wealth, there are also risks and poverty.

The 'edge' that makes London exciting belies underlying dangers. International news agencies have reported widely on London's security risks. It has a bruised history of terrorism, attack and riots. (I have deliberately not refered to recent events as 'riots'; as far as I can make out, the attacks were carried out in the name of no particular greivance or purpose, nor was there any demonstrable feeling of anger. It seemed to be simple systematic looting of my neighbourhood.)

The fact remains that sporadic violence broke out in a handful of areas and was quickly quelled. Now, Londoners take to the streets in large voluntary clean-up operations as the city seeks normality again.

The police have been criticised for their lack of presence and foresight when the initial violence broke out, but there is nothing more that could have been done. The lesson here is that some events simply can never be predicted; there are no precautions against certain events.

The acceptance that certain events cannot be forecast – so-called 'black swans' – is a mature response to a complex world. Hopefully we can learn all the important lessons, but also accept that there are some events that are out of our control.

Comments

Carlos via LinkedIn

Fri 12 Aug 2011 15:08

This kind of events are disappointing. I never see in my life a lot of problems around the world (Social problems in London, another possible recession in US,Mexico's drugs war).

This problems convince me that we need to work a lot to fix this social & economic problem. I think we have the key to change the world.

Do you know about Mexico's social problems?
What is the reason of the London looting?

Have a good day,

Carlos

Kayleigh

Fri 12 Aug 2011 15:21

Hi Carlos,

Yes you are right, events like this are disappointing and it has been a huge shock for the UK and perhaps a wake-up call. The looting was originally linked to a situation where a man carrying a loaded gun was shot by a police officer in North London. However, the reason for the riots that followed on Sunday and Monday evening has been hotly debated, and may people have lots of different ideas to why the rioters and looters have acted in this way. This has undoubtedly affected the UK on many levels, and the government and public are searching for ways to prevent this from ever happening again.

On your point about Mexico, I am aware of the social problems there but the issues that they are experiencing are somewhat different to those in the UK.

We need to try and look at possible positive outcomes to these situations and hope that we can learn from our problems.

Dr Malcom Freeman via LinkedIn

Fri 12 Aug 2011 15:25

I guess the only lessons shopping centres have less risk of being looted than those in the high street. However perhaps the shops in the high street will have to have shutters that cover all the windows, doors etc. and be such strengh the looters can gain entry.

Having work for a major shopping centre company for 7 years, I can see the advantage of shops in SC.

Thu 18 Aug 2011 22:19

Society is broken, but "big society" will not fix it. Fundamentally, politicians need to work out why this happened. Was it the recession, was it too much emphasis on youth clubs instead of taking these youths to earn pocket money, was it absentee fathers, was it the recession, was it lack of employment, was it the lack of education, or was it the increasing gang culture. In my opinion, parents need to take an active role in the bringing up of their children and government need to support them and the schools in their push to achieve needed moral standards, respect and self worth. Businesses also need to become more eco-societal centric, care about the environment, sustainability, and not just focus on profit. Sustaining high profits requires the appreciation of the environment in which the cash is made.

Lucas via LinkedIn

Mon 22 Aug 2011 08:58

I live in the Philippines and I've witnessed a lot of looting during the martial law years, and no shutters can hold an angry mobs. . . . only an honest human guard elements can. . . . but still they can find ways