Brixton in south London was an area of deep social and economic problems — high unemployment, high crime, poor housing, no amenities — in a predominantly black community. The police were strongly disliked and seen as largely reactionary and distant. An attempt at proactive crime control did much to increase tensions. The Metropolitan Police began Operation Swamp 81 at the beginning of April, aimed at reducing serious street crime, mainly through the heavy use of the so-called sus law.The actual riot was unplanned, almost spontaneous. On the evening of the 10th, at around 5.15pm, a black youth with a knife wound was stopped by a police patrol. As he was being escorted by two police officers along Railton Road towards a waiting vehicle a large crowd intervened. The police were attacked and the struggle only ended when more police officers arrived; the youth was taken to hospital.Through the night of the 10th and on Saturday 11th the police brought a very strong force into the area. Tensions built throughout the day as crowds slowly gathered. In early evening, as the police attempted to make some arrests on Atlantic Road, the tension broke: a few bricks were thrown and windows smashed. More police closed in and more missiles began to be thrown. The police retreated, leaving their vehicles to be burned. Other vehicles were burned and shops looted on Railton Road, Mayall Road, Leeson Road and Brixton Road before the police, notably the Special Patrol Group, returned.The riot resulted in almost 300 police injuries and 65 serious civilian injuries; over a hundred vehicles were burned, including 56 police vehicles; almost 150 buildings were damaged, with thirty burned. There were 82 arrests. Reports suggested that up to 5,000 people were involved in the riot.
