"There was a sense of panic on the streets of London as a spate of rioting and looting that had erupted in poorer parts of the city over the weekend spread to at least four new neighborhoods on Monday, Aug. 8. The unrest kicked off on Saturday, Aug. 6 after a protest over the Aug. 4 fatal shooting by police of Mark Duggan, a 29-year-old from the Tottenham neighborhood in northern London.
The riots, now in their third consecutive day, are being led by gangs of young people and organized in part via BlackBerry instant messaging, the encrypted messages from which are more difficult for the police to monitor. The violence is steadily escalating: smashed windows and looted stores have led to the arson of vehicles and buildings and mass confrontations with riot police. At least 225 people have been arrested thus far in London, while 87 have been arrested in Birmingham. About 30 police officers have been reported injured." FP
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British cop shows on television are amusing. "Buzz off!" the possible perp tells sone "copper " who wants to "interview" him. "Oi'm bizzy!" "But sir," the "copper" pleads "This is a murder enquiry." "Well, all right, then, five minutes and that's it!"
Or, "I say, Derek (or Neville or Gervase) make sure you call for the "armed police" before you try to "intervew" that chap."
Amusing. I think more of them will be "armed" after this. This must be a major blow to the collective English self-image. Anglophiles are amusing anyway but this is sadly funny.
Scene at the "Cavalry and Guards Club: "Noel, old thing, do you smell smoke?" or "Prime minister?" "Yes, mum?" "Is London burning?" pl
http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2011/08/08/london_burning
