#londonriots: Mayor Steve Bullock responds on the Lewisham Riots

Adam Tinworth has curated some links on the impact of the riots on Lewisham last night. I was a little disappointed to discover that I arrived back in Lewisham after the action had passed on to Rushey Green and Catford. But as this video from yesterday shows, the actions of rioters demanded a significant police response.

Joseph Stashko Storified events as they happened. Worth a look (see below).

I was especially impressed with how quickly after I had been alerted about the rioting in the borough, the police had cordoned off the area and – most impressive of all – appeared totally in control but remained totally approachable. They were noticeable by their lack of helmets.

Lewisham Mayor Steve Bullock has similarly hit the right note posting a message on his Facebook page and via the Lewisham Council website first (last night) condoning the actions of rioters and (today) thank community members for helping with the clearup. The press release reports that Lewisham was all cleared up by 8am this morning.

Bullock writes:

The most encouraging thing from the last 24 hours has been the response or ordinary members of our community. They have made clear their determination to reclaim their city and many turned up to help with the clear up this morning. A very big thank you to them. Also a big thank you to the council staff who did a great job in clearing up from early this morning.

In the short term we need to support the Police in bringing an end to this dreadful cycle of violence and criminality. Afterwards we must come together as a community to understand what its causes were and decide what we can do to stop it happening again.

A nasty event which has taken many across London by surprise. Something which – I’m in no doubt will continue over the next few days – but it is the communications from the borough and the message the Police were indirectly giving off when I cycled to the Lewisham Library cordone last night which in my mind at least reinforces the community spirit in the area.