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| CATEGORIES ABOUT BROADWATER FARM RIOT | |
| 1985 in the united kingdom | |
| metropolitan police | |
| riots in london | |
| 20th century in london | |
| history of haringey | |
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ORIGINS AND DEATH OF CYNTHIA JARRETT On 5 October 1985 a young black man, Floyd Jarrett, was arrested by Police having been stopped in a vehicle with a suspicious Tax Disc . Four police officers subsequently attended his home to conduct a search. In a disturbance between police and family members his mother, Cynthia Jarrett, died of a Heart Attack . Her death, seemingly at the hands of police, sparked local outrage against the Metropolitan Police who were the subject of widespread distrust in the local black community. This stemmed from many factors. Only a week before there had been Rioting In Brixton when a black woman was accidentally shot by police. Four years earlier the publication of the Scarman Report into An Earlier Riot in Brixton had criticised police. The local council leader, Bernie Grant issued a statement condemning the police search. The area suffered from high Unemployment , high Crime and poor housing. DAY OF DISTURBANCES The following day saw a demonstration outside Tottenham Police Station by local people. Outbreaks of violence towards police occurred sporadically during the day and escalated, leading to the deployment of Riot Police who faced Petrol Bomb attack and Gunfire . Cars were set on fire and barricades made. There was widespread Looting with many police officers and local people being injured. DEATH OF PC BLAKELOCK At about 9.30 pm a fire broke out on the first floor of one of the estate's tower blocks. Firefighters trying to put it out came under attack and a group of police, including PC Blakelock , went to assist them. The rioting in that area was too intense for the group of police, who were not trained Riot Police , and they and the Firefighters withdrew. PC Blakelock tripped, fell, and was surrounded by a mob who attacked him with Machetes , Knives and other weapons, fatally injuring him. AFTERMATH The rioting tailed off during the night as rain fell and news of the death spread. Police maintained a substantial presence on the estate for several months afterwards. The disturbances led to several changes in police tactics and equipment, and effort was made to re-engage with the community. Council leader Bernie Grant was widely condemned for saying, "What the police got was a bloody good hiding." The local council invested considerable resources into the estate. Today, although there are still issues of contention with the police, the area is considered to have improved markedly. REFERENCES
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