Policing Large Scale Disorder: Lessons from the disturbances of ...

Ev w16 Home Affairs Committee: Evidence
Written evidence submitted by Councillor Paulette A Hamilton, Handsworth wood ward,
Birmingham Perry Barr
Specially convened group of representatives from the African and Caribbean Communities in the wake of the
August Riots.
Introduction
Following discussions between members of Birmingham’s African and Caribbean communities on the
increasingly fragile relationship between them and West Midlands Police, it was decided to write to the Home
Affairs Select Committee to highlight observations made prior to, during and after the riots which took place
in and around Birmingham in August 2011.
In doing so, we wish to make clear from the outset that we do not condone the violence and destruction
that occurred.
However, the continuous barrage of negative media reporting that has explicitly or implicitly blamed the
African and Caribbean communities for the riots has so angered and incensed our communities that a response
was deemed necessary.
We are not alone in expressing these concerns. Gus Johns, a leading African Caribbean Professor, felt
compelled to write an open letter to the Prime Minister David Cameron to challenge the rhetoric being used
in speeches and articles as it relates to white and African and Caribbean youths. We hope that this letter will
also form part of your committee’s considerations.
The submission itself summarises points made at a specially convened meeting called by Councillor Paulette
Hamilton and others, hosted by the Drum Arts Centre on 25 August. Cllr Hamilton represents one of the most
deprived wards in Birmingham. Twenty-seven key figures in the African and Caribbean communities who are
recognised for their valuable work and contributions in the City of Birmingham attended. They represent a
cross section of organisations from the community in terms of age groups and relevant sectors with the ability
to disseminate information to the wider African and Caribbean Communities.
The observations address the first point of your stated terms of reference: Police relations with the
communities where violence took place before the riots, including similarities with and differences from
previous public disorder events.
Context
Birmingham has the largest concentration of African and Caribbean people outside of London and Luton.
The 2001 census says there were approximately 60,000 people from Black ethnic communities living in
Birmingham. This represented 6.1% of the population and 20.7% of the non-white population. This will change
with the new census figures for 2011.
To understand the state of the relationship between the Police and these communities it is important to be
aware of their history and profile. This history and emerging profile and the stories and or picture it paints of
each key learning moment over the last 60 years and in particular the last decade cannot be ignored if we are
to successfully establish an effective, interlocking community relationship which is mutually beneficial to both
parties in ensuring a shared goal of community safety and cohesion in Birmingham. Historically the African
and Caribbean communities have been viewed as a criminal element on the fringes of society and this has
been reflected in the media’s reporting of incidences that may or may not have anything to do with these
communities.
These communities have entrenched problems that are exacerbated by the police’s approach and attitude to
young African and Caribbean people. This is supported by statistics on key issues, for example disproportional
figures relating to stop and search, the national DNA database, numbers in prisons on first or minor offences
and unsolved black murders which are not necessarily mentioned in the press.
Overall the African and Caribbean communities in Britain suffer disproportionately from school exclusions,
underachievement in education, over representation in the prison population and the criminal justice system,
and high levels of unemployment. These communities are still under represented in politics, business and civil
life. All of these startling facts will do little to foster future harmonious relationships with other communities
and with West Midlands Police unless more progress is made in implementing the recommendations of the
Lawrence Inquiry.
These communities have now become so alarmed and angered by these statistics that it has galvanised
support for a lobby group to tackle these concerns.
Contributory Factors
The riots of August 2011 appeared to have been co-ordinated and planned with social media playing a major
part in Birmingham. While people viewed live footage of looting in London it quickly went viral with people
being accurately advised where the next explosive situation would happen. Many people were aware of what
was happening and where with Facebook and Blackberry offering minute by minute updates and directions to