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Fears over 'summer of rage'
23 Feb 2009- Tributes paid to Whitney Houston
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More than a third of voters believe the Army will have to be brought in to deal with a "summer of rage" on British streets as the recession bites, a poll showed.
The widespread fear of serious unrest was disclosed as a senior police officer warned activists were planning unrest and could find rioters easier to recruit because of the credit crunch.
Superintendent David Hartshorn, who heads the Metropolitan Police's public order branch, said known activists were planning a return to the streets centred on April's G20 summit of world leaders in London.
And intelligence shows they may be able to call on more "footsoldiers" than normal due to the unprecedented conditions - which have led to youth violence in Greece and mass protests elsewhere in Europe.
YouGov polling for Prospect magazine found 37% thought such "serious social unrest in several British cities" was certain or likely - although a slim majority (51%) disagreed.
Almost three quarters (73%) said they feared a sustained return to mass unemployment.
And a clear majority (64%) also favoured forcing the under-25s to do a year of full-time, modestly-paid community service such as working with the sick and elderly or helping with environmental projects.
Labour MP Frank Field told Prospect the main political parties should join forces to develop the idea. He said: "The time has come to look at this idea. A new bipartisan commission should be established to look into how it could be done, perhaps led by figures as respected as David Blunkett or David Davis."
Although the biggest support for a compulsory scheme was among the older generations, a majority of 18-30 year olds (52%) also gave it their backing.
Gordon Brown's spokesman said: "The Prime Minister's view on this is that of course he understands people's concerns and he also understands that people are angry, for example about the behaviour of some of the banks. That's why he is absolutely determined that the Government does everything possible to deal with those concerns and help people and businesses get through what is a global recession."
Reader views (5)
Yes Mr Brown people are angry. But not just at the banks. Banks and big companies will do whatever they can get away with to increase profits. Banks are not charities, quite the opposite. We elect and pay the government to protect us from the worst excesses of the capitalist system. Your government (and others) let us down big time. This is another fine mess you've gotten us into.
- Victor, essex ,uk, 23/02/2009 22:24
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oviously the goverment ie mr brown will not forcast this untill the riots start' like the recession he did'nt see coming'
- Phelps Robert, bussiere poitevine 87320 france, 23/02/2009 17:18
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Environmental projects where people concerned can actually make a quantifiable difference to their local communities will be more satisfying. Being part of a trained workforce for future industries will give a much needed boost in self confidence, as all can be viewed on the Internet.
Environmental groups such as Friends Of the Earth and Greenpeace should be included, not only in consultation but also in the implementation of the policies.
Otherwise will just be a brash Photo-shoot without content and soon forgotten when the next Sound-bite rears. Neither Politicians or Gov Quango's should be involved.
- William, Haywards Heath UK, 23/02/2009 16:48
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Hundreds of years ago the ancestors of the people currently in control
of the Worlds
political and Economic institutions attained their power thru
Murder,deceit,criminal activities and general skulduggery.Once they
had achieved their goal they began to promulgate laws and edicts
condemning the pursuit of power thru so called undemocratic means(the
very means they had utilized in their pursuit of power).This of
course
was done purely to protect their self interest.Now is the time to
return to the old methods of power attainment,using the same methods
todays power elite utilized back then.Screw the laws of the land,they
are there merely to protect those in power.Survival of the fittest
should be the new law of the land.Let the Power Elite fight to hang
on
to their positions.We must all be like Gladiators in this New World
Order,willing to kill or be killed in order to survive.If you cant
stand the heat get out of the kitchen.
- Thomas, London, 23/02/2009 15:55
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With CCTV saturating the country, the about to be brought in legislation that ISPs must store electronic information for 12 months and the sheer volume of databases on individuals; I am sure the government will have wind of any potential protests before more than three people get involved!
- Steve, Hereford, 23/02/2009 15:48
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