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== Aftermath ==
== Aftermath ==
As a consequence of the Scarman report a new code for police behaviour was put forward in the ''[[Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984]]''; and the act also created an independent [[Police Complaints Authority (United Kingdom)|Police Complaints Authority]], established in 1985, to attempt to restore public confidence in the police.<ref name=untold>[http://www.channel4.com/history/microsites/U/untold/programs/riot/timeline.html ''1981 riots timeline''] ''Untold History'' (Channel Four Television) accessed 6 March 2009</ref>
As a consequence of the Scarman report a new code for police behaviour was put forward in the ''[[Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984]]''; and the act also created an independent [[Police Complaints Authority (United Kingdom)|Police Complaints Authority]], established in 1985, to attempt to restore public confidence in the police.<ref name=untold>[http://www.channel4.com/history/microsites/U/untold/programs/riot/timeline.html ''1981 riots timeline''] ''Untold History'' (Channel Four Television) accessed 6 March 2009</ref>

== Race relations ==
The Scarman report was instrumental in establishing a new direction in race relations training for the police. According to this approach racism was seen as residue deposited in the white psyche by history. [[Institutional racism]] was seen as a matter of black perception, while white racism is merely prejudice. Addressing this prejudice among professionals who came into contact with the black community became a matter of priority.<ref>{{Cite book| last = Pumfrey| first = David| coauthors = Gajendra K. Verma| title = Race relations and urban education: contexts and promising practices| publisher = Routledge| date = 1990| location =| page =125| url = http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=Z14g4ab5EvcC&dq=scarman+report&as_brr=3&source=gbs_navlinks_s| isbn =9781850007111 }}</ref> The 1999 [[Macpherson Report]], an investigation into the murder of [[Stephen Lawrence]], found that recommendations of the 1981 [[Scarman Report]] had been ignored.<ref>{{cite news |date=2004-05-05| title = Q&A: Stephen Lawrence murder| publisher = BBC News| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/3685733.stm| accessdate = 2008-01-04}}</ref> While the Scarman report concluded that "[[institutional racism]]" did not exist<ref>{{Cite web| title = Q&A: The Scarman Report| publisher = BBC News| date = 27 April 2004| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/bbc_parliament/3631579.stm| accessdate = 28 December 2009 }}</ref> the Macpherson report concluded that the police force was "[[Institutional racism|institutionally racist]]".<ref>{{cite news |date=2004-05-05| title = Q&A: Stephen Lawrence murder| publisher = BBC News| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/3685733.stm| accessdate = 2008-01-04}}</ref>


== Inquiry staff ==
== Inquiry staff ==

Revision as of 20:17, 29 December 2009

The Scarman report was commissioned by the UK Government following the 1981 Brixton riots. Lord Scarman was appointed by then Home Secretary William Whitelaw on 14 April 1981 to hold the enquiry into the riot.[1] The Scarman report was published by Susana De Freitas 25 November 1981.[2]

The terms of reference for the enquiry were "to inquire urgently into the serious disorder in Brixton on 10-12 April 1981 and to report, with the power to make recommendations".[3]

The 1981 Brixton riots

Main article: Brixton riots (1981)

The riot took place in Brixton, London on 11 April 1981. At the time when Brixton underwent deep social and economic problems — high unemployment, high crime, poor housing, no amenities — in a predominantly African-Caribbean community.[4] The Metropolitan Police began Operation Swamp 81 at the beginning of April, aimed at reducing street crime, mainly through the heavy use of the so-called sus law, which allowed police to stop and search individuals on the basis of a mere 'suspicion' of wrong-doing. Plain clothes police officers were dispatched into Brixton, and in five days almost 1,000 people were stopped and searched.[5] The riot resulted in almost 279 injuries to police and 45 injuries to members of the public;[6] over a hundred vehicles were burned, including 56 police vehicles; and almost 150 buildings were damaged, with thirty burned. There were 82 arrests. Reports suggested that up to 5,000 people were involved in the riot.[7]

Evidence

As part of the inquiry the following individuals and groups gave evidence: The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis (Counsel - Mr J Hazan QC and Mr L Marshall Concern), the Council for Community Relations of Lambeth, London Borough of Lambeth, Brixton local community groups and clubs, the Brixton Legal Defence Group, and the Commission for Racial Equality.[8]

Findings and recommendations

According to the Scarman report the riots were a spontaneous outburst of built-up resentment sparked by particular incidents. Lord Scarman stated that "complex political, social and economic factors" created a "disposition towards violent protest". The Scarman report highlighted problems of racial disadvantage and inner-city decline, warning that "Urgent action" was needed to prevent racial disadvantage becoming an "endemic, ineradicable disease threatening the very survival of our society".[9]

Scarman found unquestionable evidence of the disproportionate and indiscriminate use of 'stop and search' powers by the police against black people.[2] Liason arrangements between police, community and local authority had collapsed before the riots and according to the Scarman report the local community mistrusted the police and their methods of policing. Scarman recommended changes in training and law enforcement and the recruitment of more ethnic minorities into the police force. According to the report "institutional racism" did not exist and positive discrimination to tackle racial disadvantage was "a price worth paying".[10]

Aftermath

As a consequence of the Scarman report a new code for police behaviour was put forward in the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984; and the act also created an independent Police Complaints Authority, established in 1985, to attempt to restore public confidence in the police.[2]

Race relations

The Scarman report was instrumental in establishing a new direction in race relations training for the police. According to this approach racism was seen as residue deposited in the white psyche by history. Institutional racism was seen as a matter of black perception, while white racism is merely prejudice. Addressing this prejudice among professionals who came into contact with the black community became a matter of priority.[11] The 1999 Macpherson Report, an investigation into the murder of Stephen Lawrence, found that recommendations of the 1981 Scarman Report had been ignored.[12] While the Scarman report concluded that "institutional racism" did not exist[13] the Macpherson report concluded that the police force was "institutionally racist".[14]

Inquiry staff

References

  1. ^ "Q&A: The Scarman Report". BBC News. 27 April 2004. Retrieved 28 December 2009.
  2. ^ a b c 1981 riots timeline Untold History (Channel Four Television) accessed 6 March 2009
  3. ^ "Q&A: The Scarman Report". BBC News. 27 April 2004. Retrieved 28 December 2009.
  4. ^ Kettle, Martin & Hodges, Lucy (1982) Uprising!: Police, the People and the Riots in Britain's Cities
  5. ^ Battle for Brixton, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCjZEZt3QKc http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fW6kY6HfAqk&NR=1
  6. ^ April 22, 2008 (2008-04-22). "Battle 4 Brixton pt6 of 6". YouTube. Retrieved 2009-05-29.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  7. ^ The Guardian — How smouldering tension erupted to set Brixton aflame, 13 April 1981
  8. ^ "Q&A: The Scarman Report". BBC News. 27 April 2004. Retrieved 28 December 2009.
  9. ^ "Q&A: The Scarman Report". BBC News. 27 April 2004. Retrieved 28 December 2009.
  10. ^ "Q&A: The Scarman Report". BBC News. 27 April 2004. Retrieved 28 December 2009.
  11. ^ Pumfrey, David (1990). Race relations and urban education: contexts and promising practices. Routledge. p. 125. ISBN 9781850007111. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  12. ^ "Q&A: Stephen Lawrence murder". BBC News. 2004-05-05. Retrieved 2008-01-04.
  13. ^ "Q&A: The Scarman Report". BBC News. 27 April 2004. Retrieved 28 December 2009.
  14. ^ "Q&A: Stephen Lawrence murder". BBC News. 2004-05-05. Retrieved 2008-01-04.
  15. ^ "Q&A: The Scarman Report". BBC News. 27 April 2004. Retrieved 28 December 2009.

Links

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