Independent report into Clapham Junction disorder

An independent review into August's public disorder in Clapham Junction has been published.

The independent report was commissioned by Wandsworth Council and has been produced by Neil Kinghan, a former Director General in the Department of Communities and Local Government.

His remit was to ask why, when Wandsworth has been inner London's safest borough since 2003, Clapham Junction was the scene of some of the worst of the disorder that broke out across London and in other cities that night.

Across Wandsworth as a whole, 109 businesses were attacked. Many windows were broken, large numbers of televisions, other electronic goods, mobile phones, trainers and other sports goods were stolen, 25 businesses were seriously damaged and one shop was gutted by fire.

Mr Kinghan says:

"The general sense was that the looters were intent on taking what they could, that there were elements of criminal organisation and of opportunism and that some whowent along to see what was going on were drawn into the looting."

"My recommendations will I hope enable the authorities to learn the lessons of those events and take action where they can to reduce the risk of such events happening again."

The full report provides a detailed commentary on all aspects of the events of early August and the authorities' response. It also outlines a range of other factors which help to explain why the disorder occurred in Clapham Junction and sheds light on the reasons why some people became involved but others did not.

The review's recommendations include:

• An urgent review of the numbers of police with public order training
• A review of the monitoring of social networks by the police
• Work with local businesses by the police
• A relaunch plan for the area, to celebrate its recovery from the disorder and its potential for the future, in time for Christmas.
• A long term programme of action by police and the council, both to bring to justice those responsible for criminal behaviour and to reduce the influence of the gangs on their areas.
• Full support from the council and the Government for a Family Recovery Programme in Wandsworth
• Programmes of community engagement with the ethnic and religious communities
• Work to build on the enthusiasm and community spirit shown by the broom army
• Improved information sharing within the council and with the police during emergencies
• A review by the council of its emergency plan and support for front-line staff during emergencies.