Brixton riots - in pictures
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.It is 30 years since people took to the streets of Brixton in what became one of the worst 20th century disorders London had ever seen.
On 11 April 1981, racial tensions between police and the black community erupted into violence, as locals fought back against the police’s stop and search operation, introduced to combat crime.
Operation Swamp 81, launched by the Metropolitan Police, saw more than 950 people stopped and searched over five days, in a bid to tackle Brixton’s higher than average crime rate.
Police were believed to have targeted the black community in their arrests, further souring relations between the two groups.
Unsubstantiated rumours of police brutality against a black man on April 10, followed by an arrest the following night, sparked the 5,000-strong riot, in which more than 279 police and 45 members of the public were injured.
Hundreds of buildings were burned, petrol bombs were hurled at police and shops were looted, in a night of violence which continued into the early hours.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments