Six months after the riots: a Tottenham visit with mayoral candidate, Brian Paddick

Dawn Barnes (right) with Brian Paddick, London mayoral candidate, Caroline Pidgeon, GLA member, and local team

Brian Paddick visited Tottenham today to mark six months since the start of the riots in summer 2011. Starting in Tottenham, the riots then spread to Enfield the night after and on to other parts of London and the UK.

Brian Paddick, the Liberal Democrat mayoral candidate and a former Met Police officer, visited Broadwater Farm, the home of Mark Duggan whose fatal shooting sparked the events of the summer, and Tottenham High Road to meet with local businesses affected by the ensuing riots and looting. 

“Brian and I had a tour of Broadwater Farm with local residents to see how things have changed since the infamous 1980s’ events which tarnished the reputation of the estate,” said Dawn Barnes, Enfield & Haringey Greater London Assembly candidate. “We then went on to meet local business people who have found it difficult to stay in Tottenham following the riots as people are reluctant to shop in the area. 

“Assembly member, Caroline Pidgeon, was able to join us and we all took away valuable local feedback about what politicians can do to help places like Tottenham. Regeneration, support for business and establishing better links between the police and the local community were among ideas mentioned by those we met today. 

“Brian has pledged to visit Tottenham every month in the run up to the 3 May elections to show his support for the area which has been neglected by previous mayors of London. I look forward to welcoming him back and continuing to build relationships within the community.” 

Brian pledged that, if elected Mayor in May he will: 

• End targeting of Black & Asian youth through Stop and Search
• Win back public trust in police by giving local communities real say in setting neighbourhood policing priorities
• Kickstart local economy by speeding up compensation to businesses effected by riots

Commenting on May’s election for Mayor, Brian added: “London doesn’t need another four years of Johnson and Livingstone’s political circus. We need a Mayor with the experience and commitment to win back public trust in the police. 

“Boris Johnson was absent without leave for days during the riots and when he did finally come back to London all he did was wave a broom in the air, while Ken Livingstone may be a ‘cheeky chappy’ but he is out of gas, and has no real ideas for tackling the deep-seated problems that caused the riots in the first place. 

“As Mayor I will make sure that police are on the ground responding to Londoners priorities by protecting people, homes and shops not spending precious time and money on stop and search tactics that just don’t work and alienate whole communities. The police should be tackling crime, not wasting time.” 

Click here for more on Brian Paddick’s visit to Tottenham. 

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