City riots were ‘spontaneous insurrection’ says top officer

Briefing the Home Affairs Select Committee about the tactics employed by police who had to deal with the riots, Sir Hugh Orde described the violence as an “insurrection” which was “multi-site” and “spontaneous”.

Speaking about the difference between England’s riots and previous disorder he had dealt with in Northern Ireland, Sir Hugh said: “What we saw, fundamentally different in my assessment, was almost non-existent pre-intelligence, this was spontaneous rather than organised.”

Sir Hugh defended the handling of police resources across the country and told the meeting: “What we saw I think on this occasion was a pretty seamless working of the system and we managed to deliver all the requests that came in.”

He said in terms of perspective, it was important to remember that “vast tracts of this country were entirely peaceful” and police chiefs “willingly volunteered resources” in regions not subject to “this insurrection”.

Sir Hugh said that with a 44-force model it was important there was something in the middle to make sure of co-ordination, but added: “In my judgment I’m sure we could do things better.”

Metropolitan Police Acting Commissioner Tim Godwin also stated: “The reality is that when you are confronted with a series of situations that are operational you have to make a decision and that guidance is purely that, guidance.”