The Brixton Riots 1981

This section looks at the causes and events of the Brixton Riots of 1981. In 1981, Brixton, a district in south London with a large Caribbean immigrant population, became the focal point of violent unrest that would spread to other major cities across the UK. The riots erupted against a backdrop of long-standing racial tension, discrimination, and poor relations between the police and the black community. These events highlighted the failures of government policies and law enforcement in addressing racism and inequality. Although efforts had been made since the 1960s to combat discrimination through legal reforms, the violence in Brixton exposed how these measures were often ineffective in practice.

Causes of the Brixton Riots

Long-term Causes

By the late 1970s, immigrant communities from the Caribbean, India, Pakistan, and other countries were well-established in many British cities. However, despite their significant presence, these communities continued to face pervasive racism and discrimination in various areas of life, including employment, housing, and interactions with the police.

Race Relations Acts:
The British government had introduced several Race Relations Acts aimed at combating racial discrimination.

• 1965: The first Race Relations Act made racial discrimination in public places illegal.
• 1968 and 1976: These further Acts attempted to address discrimination in housing and employment, and outlawed indirect discrimination.
  However, despite these legal protections, many black and immigrant communities continued to face prejudice and inequality. The legislation failed to eliminate openly racist behaviour or provide effective mechanisms for tackling deep-seated racial tensions.

Medium-term Causes

The Battle of Lewisham (1977):
In 1977, the far-right National Front, a racist political group, organised a march through the London borough of Lewisham. This provoked anger from local immigrant communities, who believed the police should have intervened to stop the racist march.

• Around 4,000 people protested, and the situation quickly escalated into violent confrontations with the police.
• The event became known as the Battle of Lewisham, and by the end, 56 police officers were injured, and more than 200 people were arrested. The violence signalled growing racial tensions between immigrant communities and law enforcement.

Short-term Causes

Stop-and-Search Powers (Sus Law):
A significant trigger for the Brixton Riots was the controversial use of stop-and-search powers under the ‘sus law’. This law allowed the police to stop and search individuals if they were suspected of being involved in criminal activity.

• It became widely recognised that black people were disproportionately targeted by the police. Research showed that black people were eight times more likely to be stopped and searched than white people.
• Young black men were particularly affected, leading to feelings of harassment and resentment towards the police. Many felt unfairly treated in their own communities.

Economic Recession and Unemployment:
The UK experienced a severe economic recession in the late 1970s, which resulted in increased unemployment, especially among the working class.

• In Brixton, the situation was particularly dire, with high levels of unemployment, low-paying jobs, and poor-quality housing. The combination of economic hardship and racial discrimination exacerbated the frustration within the community, setting the stage for unrest.

Operation Swamp 81:
In an attempt to tackle rising street crime in Brixton, the police launched Operation Swamp 81 in early 1981.

• Over the course of just six days, more than 1,000 residents were stopped and searched. The operation angered the community, as many black youths felt they were being targeted by the police simply because of their race.
• This heavy-handed policing increased the tension in Brixton, contributing to the conditions that eventually led to the outbreak of violence.

Events of the Brixton Riots

In April 1981, the growing anger in Brixton exploded into three days of violent riots. The sequence of events was triggered by a combination of rumours, police actions, and escalating frustrations within the black community.

• False Rumours: The riots were sparked when false rumours spread that a young black man named Michael Bailey had been arrested and killed while in police custody. These rumours, though untrue, ignited anger in the community.
• Police Incident: The situation escalated when a police officer was injured by a brick thrown at their car, further intensifying the confrontation between the police and local residents.
• Rioting and Destruction: What followed was widespread rioting. Police vans were set on fire, shops were looted, and there was significant property damage. Over 1,000 police officers were deployed to restore order.
• Casualties and Arrests: By the time the violence subsided, hundreds of police officers had been injured, and more than 100 vehicles and 150 buildings had been damaged. 82 people were arrested.
• Spread of Riots: The violence soon spread beyond Brixton. Similar riots broke out in other cities with large immigrant populations, including Handsworth (Birmingham), Toxteth (Liverpool), and Moss Side (Manchester).

The Scarman Report

Following the riots, the government ordered an official inquiry to investigate the causes and aftermath of the disturbances. The inquiry was led by Lord Scarman, a senior judge.

• Findings:
  • The report concluded that the Brixton Riots were caused by a combination of political, social, and economic factors, including unemployment, poor housing, and police discrimination.
  • While the report acknowledged that the ‘sus law’ had been unfairly used to target black men, it controversially denied that the Metropolitan Police Force was institutionally racist.
  • The report stated that the police had lost the support of the communities they served, largely due to their heavy-handed tactics and discriminatory practices.
• Recommendations:
  • The Scarman Report led to the establishment of the Independent Police Complaints Authority (IPCC), which aimed to provide greater oversight of the police.
  • It also recommended the introduction of new codes of behaviour for the police, with the intention of improving relationships between law enforcement and minority communities.
  • The ‘sus law’ was repealed in August 1981, marking a significant step in addressing the discriminatory policing that had contributed to the riots.

However, the Scarman Report was also met with criticism:

• Criticism from Some: Some critics felt the report did not go far enough in addressing the issue of institutional racism within the police, and that it placed too much emphasis on the actions of the rioters rather than the role of the police in escalating the situation.
• Praise from Others: On the other hand, some felt the report was too critical of the police, who were operating under difficult circumstances, and that it overlooked the broader socio-economic factors that had contributed to the unrest.

Further Investigation into the Metropolitan Police

The Brixton Riots were not the final chapter in the story of police racism in the UK. In 1993, the murder of Stephen Lawrence, a young black man who was fatally attacked in a racially motivated attack in South London, led to further scrutiny of the Metropolitan Police.

• The Stephen Lawrence Case: Despite five suspects being arrested, the police investigation failed to secure any convictions. The case became emblematic of the institutional racism within the police force.
• Macpherson Inquiry: In response to public outcry, the Macpherson Inquiry was launched. The inquiry concluded that the failure to properly investigate Lawrence's murder was due to the institutional racism within the police force.
• Recommendations:
  • The inquiry recommended a series of reforms to create a more ethnically diverse police force and to expand the definition of racial offences.
  • It also highlighted the need for police to improve their relationships with ethnic minority communities.

The Macpherson Report and its aftermath played a critical role in reshaping policing in Britain and further exposed the challenges of tackling institutional racism within public institutions.

Conclusion

The Brixton Riots of 1981 were a turning point in British social history. They highlighted the deep-rooted issues of racial discrimination, police brutality, and economic inequality that had been building for years. Despite efforts such as the Race Relations Acts, these issues remained unresolved, leading to violent uprisings in cities across the UK. The Scarman Report and subsequent inquiries into the police would spark debates on how best to address racism and institutional discrimination within the criminal justice system. While progress has been made since then, the legacy of the Brixton Riots remains a reminder of the ongoing struggle for racial equality and justice in Britain.