Causes of the 2011 England riots

The causes of the 2011 England riots both immediate and long term have been the subject of media and academic debate. Several speculations have emerged as to what the likely contributory factors might be for the riots; from socio-economic causes focusing on unemployment and spending cuts to social media, gang culture and criminal opportunism. This article lists some of the opinions that have been advanced from various sources. The House of Commons Home Affairs select committee will begin examining the police response to the riots in Autumn 2011. The leader of the Opposition Ed Miliband has called for a public inquiry into the wider causes of the riots and has stated that his party will set up such an inquiry if the coalition fails to do so.
Reported causes
Death of Mark Duggan
The first riots, in Tottenham, London, started following a peaceful demonstration that was organised after the death of Mark Duggan, who was shot by police on 4 August 2011 during an attempt to arrest him. The death is being investigated by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) who are not expected to report for several months. It is reported that the IPCC initially suggested that the police had first been fired on. Another report on 10 August stated that a non-police issue weapon found close to the scene had not been fired.
Social media
It was widely reported that social media such as Facebook, Twitter, and BlackBerry Messenger was used by rioters to organise riots.
Criminal opportunism
"I'll keep doing this every day until I get caught," one rioter told BBC journalist Nick Ravenscroft "When I get home nothing is going to happen to me."
Police tactics
Prime Minister David Cameron stated on the 11 August that "There were simply far too few police deployed on to our streets and the tactics they were using weren't working".
Race relations
The riots in Tottenham after the death of Mark Duggan were initially blamed on poor relations between the police and the black community. Professor Gus John from the University of London has argued that stop and search laws have caused resentment of the police in the black community.
Welfare dependence
Max Hastings has blamed a culture of welfare dependence.
Social exclusion
Camila Batmanghelidjh writing in The Independent blames social exclusion and social deprivation.
In a House of Commons debate on the riots Home Secretary Theresa May stated that the riots were symptomatic of a "wider malaise" including worklessness, illiteracy, and drug abuse but also stated that "Everybody, no matter what their background or circumstances, has the freedom to choose between right and wrong".
Absent fathers
Christina Odone writing in the Daily Telegraph links the riots to a lack of male role models and argues that "Like the overwhelming majority of youth offenders behind bars, these gang members have one thing in common: no father at home."
Spending cuts and economic crisis
The spending cuts of the coalition government in the United Kingdom has also been cited as a cause. Ken Livington, the Labour Candidate for Mayor of London in 2012 has argued that the '‘The economic stagnation and cuts being imposed by the Tory Government inevitably create social division'. The government have stated that despite the riots planned cuts to police budgets will go ahead.
Gang culture
Gang culture has been cited as a cause of the riots. Paul Routledge writing in the Daily Mirror singled out the role of rap music. However, rap artist Professor Green has challenged the assertion that rap music can be considered a cause.
Consumerism
Some Christian commentators have blamed a culture of consumerism.
Multiculturalism
Russian Senator Mikhail Margelov has blamed a failure of multiculturalism for the riots.
Popular opinion
A YouGov poll was carried out on the 8-9 August 2011 asking what those surveyed believed to be the main cause of the riots. The results appear in the adjacent sector graph.

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