This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-30600064

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Margaret Thatcher's criticism of Brixton riot response revealed Margaret Thatcher's criticism of Brixton riot response revealed
(about 11 hours later)
Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher's concerns about official responses to the 1981 Brixton riots have been made public for the first time.Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher's concerns about official responses to the 1981 Brixton riots have been made public for the first time.
Lord Scarman led a five-month inquiry into the unrest in south London.Lord Scarman led a five-month inquiry into the unrest in south London.
The files, released by the National Archives, cover the period after the Scarman Report's publication in 1981.The files, released by the National Archives, cover the period after the Scarman Report's publication in 1981.
A handwritten note by Mrs Thatcher on a summary of the report reads: "I'm afraid the report seems highly critical of the police."A handwritten note by Mrs Thatcher on a summary of the report reads: "I'm afraid the report seems highly critical of the police."
The home secretary at the time, Willie Whitelaw, presented it to the Commons in a statement on 25 November 1981.The home secretary at the time, Willie Whitelaw, presented it to the Commons in a statement on 25 November 1981.
At the time it was positively received by a cross-section of MPs from different parties.At the time it was positively received by a cross-section of MPs from different parties.
The rioting which erupted in Brixton, in the south London borough of Lambeth, shocked the nation.The rioting which erupted in Brixton, in the south London borough of Lambeth, shocked the nation.
For three days, rioters - predominately young, black men - fought police, attacked buildings and set fire to vehicles. For three days, rioters - predominantly young, black men - fought police, attacked buildings and set fire to vehicles.
Tensions in the area had been heightened early that April by Operation Swamp - an attempt to cut street crime in Brixton which used the controversial "Sus law" to stop and search more than 1,000 people in six days.Tensions in the area had been heightened early that April by Operation Swamp - an attempt to cut street crime in Brixton which used the controversial "Sus law" to stop and search more than 1,000 people in six days.
More than 300 people were injured in the riots and the damage caused came to an estimated value of £7.5m.More than 300 people were injured in the riots and the damage caused came to an estimated value of £7.5m.
The public was shocked by the unexpectedness of events, because it seemed at the time that black people were well integrated into the fabric of UK society. The public was shocked by the unexpectedness of events, because it seemed to many at the time that black people were well integrated into the fabric of UK society.
Mr Whitelaw described Lord Scarman's recommendations as "a statement of philosophy and direction for the future", adding: "I accept and endorse this statement of philosophy."Mr Whitelaw described Lord Scarman's recommendations as "a statement of philosophy and direction for the future", adding: "I accept and endorse this statement of philosophy."
Mr Whitelaw paid particular attention to - in his words - "the need to develop formal arrangements in every police force area for consultation between police and community".Mr Whitelaw paid particular attention to - in his words - "the need to develop formal arrangements in every police force area for consultation between police and community".
'Very worried''Very worried'
Less than a year later, in June 1982, Lady Thatcher received a briefing telling her of the home secretary's intention to introduce a statutory duty on police to consult the community.Less than a year later, in June 1982, Lady Thatcher received a briefing telling her of the home secretary's intention to introduce a statutory duty on police to consult the community.
This would have the advantage, the Home Office note said, of "increasing the flow of information between the Police and the community which Scarman felt to be essential".This would have the advantage, the Home Office note said, of "increasing the flow of information between the Police and the community which Scarman felt to be essential".
Lady Thatcher wrote in response: "I confess to being very worried about this.Lady Thatcher wrote in response: "I confess to being very worried about this.
"It will soon be said that the police cannot prosecute or search without consultation. I cannot see what they are going to be compelled to consult about.""It will soon be said that the police cannot prosecute or search without consultation. I cannot see what they are going to be compelled to consult about."
Her government later made arrangements for community consultation as part of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, after Willie Whitelaw had been replaced as home secretary.Her government later made arrangements for community consultation as part of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, after Willie Whitelaw had been replaced as home secretary.