On Friday the 10th of April 1981, police officers attempted to assist a young black man who was bleeding from a suspected stab wound to his back. They were approached by a hostile crowd of young youths, who were already aggravated by a police operation called ‘Operation Swamp 81’.
The operation resulted in a large number of mostly black youths being stopped and searched in an attempt to bring down the level of street crime in and around a densely poverty stricken Brixton. In just over a week, over 1,000 people had been subjected to Operation Swamps stop and search policy.
As the policemen waited for the ambulance, they bandaged the stab victim up in their car, which was subsequently attacked by the angry crowd, possibly mistaking the police’s action as harassment.
As the ambulance finally took the injured man to Hospital, a second police vehicle arrived to contain the crowd, who were now throwing bottles at them and their windscreens.
Police reinforcements arrived and the moment quickly came to a close; for the time being.
However, the incident was seen as a challenge and the build up of Police patrols continued in the area through the night and into Saturday 11th April.
Residents were used to seeing Police on the beat every now and then, but by Saturday they noticed a much heavier presence of them and their vehicles. The whole of Railton Road and its surrounding streets were now streaming with officers, as little as 50 yards apart, just sitting and waiting in their vans.
The tensions between the Police and the local Black youths heightened during the course of the day, some describing the air as electric. There was no doubt that trouble of some sort was expected.
At about 16.30 Saturday afternoon, a plain clothed policeman attempted to search a black guy's car outside a mini cab office in Atlantic Road, and received a brick to the head for his trouble. A little down the street another arrest was attempted, further angering the local youths.
As the crowds grew, outnumbering the law, battle lines were being drawn, and soon a barrage of bottles and bricks were hurled at the Police.
Charged tension was finally released like a surge of adrenalin, as the Police realised they were no longer in control; they ran, abandoning their vehicles.
The Brixton Riot commences.
Brixton saw some of the worst violence the UK has ever seen, likened to the troubles in Belfast, which saw Military involvement on the streets.
Cars were set a light and turned over, shop windows were smashed and looted, petrol bombs were hurled at the by now heavily armed riot police. Even a fire engine was commandeered and driven up and down Railton Road. By 21.30 The Windsor Castle pub in Leeson Road collapsed to the ground after being petrol bombed, as did the George Public House. Mayall Road experienced electricity failure and gas mains were severely damaged. Fire fighters couldn’t get close to the burning cars and buildings due to rioters attacking them.
Police finally began to gain control around 22.00 that evening, although the Fire Brigade were still unable to resume normal duty.
An estimated 5,000 people were involved in the riot. 22 vehicles were set alight, a Post Office, Effra Road School, 2 pubs and 14 other properties were either destroyed or damaged. 300 Police officers and 65 civilians were injured. Many shops and small businesses never recovered from the unforeseen loss of their buildings and stock.
We should be thankful it didn’t happen in 2008, where possibly today’s weapons of guns and knives would have been used, almost certainly resulting in deaths. It's a miracle, perhaps, that not a single death occurred in the ’81 riots.
Thanks to : Guardian Century, Ivan (Hunchie), Charles (Yankie) and some of the Effra locals for their memories and stories, providing me with the information for this article.
