Post-riots London has rallied — it’s a different city now

 
London riots: Keith Vaz has highlighted riots 'failure'
6 August 2012
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Over the past 12 months I have patrolled regularly across London. What has struck me is how, after the riots, people rallied against the damage done to their communities and worked together to support each other.

The violence last year was gratuitous and completely unjustified, yet there is nowhere else quite like London. It’s no surprise to me that one year on, we’re able to show the world we are a truly great capital city.

It’s important not to brush aside what happened last August. But nor must we forget that it was only a minority who were intent on violence or looting.

The Londoners I meet are looking forwards, not backwards. They recognise the challenges the Met faces in policing a city this large and diverse and they support what we do.

This couldn’t be better demonstrated than by the security operation around the Olympics. The Met is now halfway through delivering the biggest peacetime policing operation in our history, with the world’s eyes upon us. And despite that scrutiny, we are doing what we do every day: getting on with the job in hand, making sure Londoners, commuters and visitors are as safe as possible, and keeping the city “open for business”, whatever the circumstances.

Someone once said policing is too important to be left to the police and there’s some truth in that. Everyone has a part to play in keeping London safe and I am frequently moved by the public’s enthusiasm to improve their local communities.

Several months ago, I was told about a couple of young men in east London who have come up with a mobile app for people to provide feedback when they are stopped and searched. This is the sort of work I completely support. Anything that is a constructive way of helping people understand stop and search as well as helping police improve this vital tactic is to be applauded. These are young people taking positive action, in stark contrast to those who saw an opportunity to loot.

Last summer was a difficult time for many of us. It brought out the best and the worst. I am fully aware that many victims, including residents and business owners, displayed real courage. This is also true for Met officers, many of whom faced a barrage of violence.

I was proud and humbled by their overwhelming bravery — and that of the officers from the other forces who came to help us. Some of them may well be back in London this summer working with us to ensure everyone has a safe Games.

What happened in parts of London last August was unprecedented. Of course, no one can say it won’t happen again. What I can guarantee is that the huge amount of work we’ve done will ensure we would be far better prepared if it did.

We have made significant changes to our tactics for dealing with large-scale disorder and have got a plan for more effectively deploying officers which now includes another 1,750 trained in public order.

Nor should it be forgotten that 2,900 offenders have been brought to justice for the part they played last year. My officers are continuing to investigate crimes others committed.

Twelve months ago, the world saw images of London that most of us hope never to see again. What a contrast to today.

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