There do seem to be some significant issues abut policing (why try to arrest somebody in a cab? It doesn't seem the most convenient place – unless there is more to the story), but the riots may mask those issues.

The vast majority of people in those areas will be law-abiding and decent, but that too will get forgotten.

Sad times indeed. Like Thatcher's government, the Coalition may throw money at the problem (although that seems a bit unlikely) but will they deal with the root causes? I doubt it.

I