Old Nicosia and Brixton share startling similarities

The current events in old Nicosia bring to mind the 1981 Brixton Riots in South London, where I was doing voluntary community work, thus having first-hand knowledge of that situation.

The ‘Scarman Report’ into the riots stated that their investigation found the rioting was caused by a spontaneous crowd reaction to police action. The crowd, rightly or wrongly, believed the authorities to be harassing black people – but the riot had not been planned.

The local community was already aggravated by ‘Operation Swamp’ (SUS = stop & search, an archaic law instigated to justify their racist actions) during which large numbers of black youths were stopped and searched – and the confrontation quickly escalated.

Whilst unreported, the search for illegal immigrants continues – in one case, a perfectly legal group of students from the Indian subcontinent have now been raided four times without any arrests.
And what of the youth who just wish to party? Reports say that the old town is ‘dangerous’ yet these kids felt safe enough to arrange such a party and ensured permission for the event was granted.

Ms Mavrou would do well to read the ‘Scarman Report’ and act on its conclusions and recommendations, if we are not to see the same situations repeated throughout the island.

And what of the police? When they encourage community policing, properly trained, and start a policy of encouraging members of ethnic minorities to join their ranks then maybe they will gain some respect.

Maire Pytharas
Meneou, Larnaca