Police are preparing for a “summer of rage” as victims of the economic downturn take to the streets to demonstrate against financial institutions, the Guardian has learned.

Britain’s most senior police officer with responsibility for public order raised the spectre of a return of the riots of the 1980s, with people who have lost their jobs, homes or savings becoming “footsoldiers” in a wave of potentially violent mass protests. Actually, the Guardian is running a poll on this and as of writing it stands at 69% of people saying they will demonstrate in one way or another. The authorities are being typically disingenuous to suggest that this is going to be a disenfranchised minority.

There are public riots taking place in many countries that are just not getting reported - surprise! The ones in Greece, France and Iceland are just the most visible signs that if people can actually organise themselves that they can create change. Riots by themselves without a clear aim only serve to harden governments and their military. But if the men in suits and uniforms lose control then people best know how to protect themselves.

The British seem in general too comfortable and lethargic to mount a revolution, but the police know very well how they lost control of the poll tax riots in Whitehall during Thatcher's reign. They are preparing themselves for organised revolt. That is sure to guarantee a confrontation.

To comment on this article Register for Free.
Make Money adding your own bookmarks and articles.
Earn extra money bookmarking your articles here...

On Writing Online