Police intelligence ‘failed to foresee’ widespread rioting

There was almost “non-existent pre-intelligence” in foreseeing the widespread riots which broke out across England, the president of the Association of Chief Police Officers has said.

Briefing the home affairs select committee in Westminster about the tactics employed by police in dealing with the riots, Sir Hugh Orde said the violence was “multi-site” and “far more spontaneous”.

Speaking about the difference between England’s riots and disorder he dealt with in Northern Ireland following a question by chairman Keith Vaz, Sir Hugh said: “What we saw, fundamentally different in my assessment, was almost non-existent pre- intelligence, this was spontaneous rather than organised.”

Sir Hugh defended the handling of police resources across the country stating: “What we saw I think on this occasion was a pretty seamless working of the system and we managed to deliver all the requests that came in.”

He said in terms of perspective, it was important to remember that “vast tracts of this country were entirely peaceful” and police chiefs “willingly volunteered resources” in regions not subject to “this insurrection”.

Sir Hugh said that with a 44-force model it was important there was something in the middle to make sure of co-ordination, but added: “In my judgment I’m sure we could do things better.”

Metropolitan Police Acting Commissioner Tim Godwin said: “The reality is that when you are confronted with a series of situations that are operational you have to make a decision and that guidance is purely that, guidance.”

He added: “We were borough-based policing responding to criminality that had public order assets to respond and support if it degenerated where there was confrontation with the officers.”

The Home Secretary, Theresa May, yesterday said no-go areas could be brought in to clear the streets in a bid to give police the tough powers they need to tackle future riots.

Ms May said she was considering whether more general curfew powers in England and Wales were needed to help prevent a repeat of last week’s rioting, looting and violence.

Victims will also be given the chance to speak out as ministers said the UK government would be establishing an independent communities and victims panel to ensure those caught up in the trouble “can have their voice heard”.

Ms May suggested existing laws to prevent individuals from entering specific troublespots may not be tough enough.

“At the moment the curfew powers are specific in terms of individuals, and attached to individuals and it’s whether more general powers are needed,” she said.

“In the fast-moving situation that we’ve seen over the past week, I think we need to make sure the police have just got all the powers available to be able to use them as and when they are necessary.”

But she warned that rushing to use rubber bullets against rioters risked losing public support for the police.

The Home Office made it clear that there was nothing to stop forces using baton rounds and water cannon against the rioters, but the police were clear they did not want to use them, she said.

Order was instead restored by “robust policing with the help and support of local communities”.

Ms May has also askedSir Denis O’Connor, the Chief Inspector of Constabulary, to give forces clearer guidanceon tactics, pre-emptive action, the number of officers trainedin public order policing, the need for forces to assist others, and the appropriate arrest policy.

But she rejected calls from senior officers to reconsider the UK government’s 20 per cent cuts to police budgets in the wake of the riots.

Instead, the disturbances showed that controversial proposals to replace police authorities with elected police and crime commissioners, and the introduction of a new National Crime Agency, were now more urgent than ever, she said.

“I am clear that, even at the end of this spending period, forces will still have the resources to deploy officers in the same numbers we have seen in the last week,” she said.

Labour leader Ed Miliband criticised the Home Secretary’s plan to press on with police cuts, saying it left him “very worried”.

He spoke during a visit to Bristol, where he met local politicians and community figures in the St Pauls area, the scene of unrest and looting last week.

“It is right that we learn lessons from the policing of the riots, but the most important thing the government can do is learn lessons itself,” he said.

“The lesson the public wants them to learn is that visible effective policing increases public confidence and increases safety on our streets. That is why they should rethink their police cuts.”

Scotland Yard said more than 1,680 people have been arrested so far in connection with the disorder in London, with more than 980 of those charged.