London Riots 2011

August 10th, 2011

The last few days have given us a all a lot of food for thought. Many questions, but few real answers. I never dreamed that I would witness some of the scenes that we have been seeing over the last four nights right here on my doorstep. The depravity of some of the individuals we have observed while out covering this historic event, and the images at home on our TV screens, has been truly shocking.

As a photographer this I have to say has been a bit of a first for me in terms of the general rules of engagement. The student protests earlier in the year were pretty bad at times, but this was a whole new ball game. With regards to the looters, muggers and rioters out on the streets it seamed that there were no rules. Anyone and everything was fair game.

The usual hard hat, shin pads and at best some kind of eye protection were the first things to leave in the boot of your car, while ironically being the things above all else you would normally have in your arsenal. Off with the strong walking boots and North Face jacket, on with the hoody, head scarf and trainers. Priority number one, blend in. Deciding which cameras to take was a major consideration. As a staff photographer at Getty I am in an incredibly fortunate position to have kit given to me, but many covering the events as they unfolded were not. There have been some very unfortunate cases of photographers and journalists have kit stolen and smashed, and worse still been beaten up and injured.

Apart from being an potentially dangerous job to cover, it has also been very frustrating. At times pictures were happening right in front of you, but you simply couldn’t take the risk and make them. Of course this is a very personal thing. Some people would maybe push things a little further, some a little less so. I keep thinking back to some of things I saw and wishing I had been that little bit more courageous, then on the flip side knowing that thus far my instincts have always kept me out of trouble so not to worry about it.

I hope the riots have ended now. Too many hard working decent people have lost too much which they didn’t deserve to do, and all for nothing. For me this has been a story about human beings, and what they are capable of doing to, and for each other. For once I agreed with David Cameron when he talked about seeing the worst and the best of people, about the “sick” in our society, but also about compassion and  human kindness that hopefully will prevail.

One of those people and someone who’s story I can genuinely say I was touched by, was Aaron Biber. An 89 year old man, still working in Tottenham cutting peoples hair.  A member of that community who I am sure has had many battles over his life, but found himself caught up in one he really didn’t deserve to be in.

Aaron is the gentleman in one of the pictures below which show the state his salon was left in after the riots.

Here is a link where if you like you can donate, to help this man get back on his feat and “Keep on Cutting”.

A selection of some of the pictures from myself and other friends and colleagues can be seen on the Boston Globe, including Lewis Whyld of the PA and Leon Neal of AFP. Lee Thompson from the Sun also has some great pictures and an interesting account of the event.

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