A repeat performance of last summer’s unprecedented unrest that spread across England are intensely feared by the British police, as the findings of the most in-depth research suggest that further similar unrest would be very difficult to cope with.
Part of the study included Police officers being interviewed as they predict further disorder due to declining social and economic conditions. The officers also expressed their growing concerns of their limited ability to deal with any future unrest.
The home secretary, Theresa May, recently proposed budget cuts with which the British police service is currently in dispute. This follows a study involving The Guardian and London School of Economics.
At this time, parliament is to receive a report from the chief inspector about the impact of policing cuts on forces across England and Wales.
A superintendent from Greater Manchester police said he expected a reoccurrence of last year’s unrest within the year.
“I think if you have bad economic times, hot weather, some sort of an event that sets it off … my answer is: yes, it could,” he said. “Because I don’t think anything has changed between now and last August, and the only thing that’s different is people have thought: riots are fun.”
The British police feel that there will be future unrest in England as the possible disturbances worry government ministers, who previously refused calls for a full public enquiry.
BGH/ISH/HE
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