Children joined riots for the 'thrill', report says

The Children's Commissioner for England has stated that children involved in riots last summer were primarily motivated by curiosity and "spur-of-the-moment" impulses, rather than far-right ideologies and social media misinformation. A new report indicates that extreme distrust of the police and a lack of opportunities also contributed to some children's participation in the unrest.

The violence erupted across the country in July 2024, following the tragic murder of three children at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport. Children's Commissioner, Dame Rachel de Souza, said her interviews with children accused of involvement in the riots "painted a more complex picture of why they got involved."

The Children's Commissioner's findings were released a week after Axel Rudakubana admitted to murdering nine-year-old Alice da Silva Aguiar, six-year-old Bebe King, and seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stankom. In the hours after the attack, false rumors circulated online that the perpetrator was an immigrant, and the next day, violent protests occurred near the scene. Riots then quickly spread to many other towns and cities across England and Northern Ireland, targeting mosques and hotels housing migrants.

The Children's Commissioner's report stated that at least 147 children have been arrested since the riots, and 84 have been prosecuted, with some as young as 12 years old being sentenced for their involvement. Dame de Souza said that her interviews with 14 "neglected and forgotten" children "raise some very serious questions about childhood in England, and why our children feel so disaffected and powerless." However, she stated that her report "cannot excuse criminal behavior."

"As Children’s Commissioner, it’s my job to listen to children’s voices, whatever their circumstances," she said. "The harm caused by these children’s actions is undeniable. Many – but not all – of the children accepted their actions need to have accountability and consequences. Today’s findings do not offer simple solutions, but paint a more complex picture than the discussions following the riots. However, we must strive to address this issue in order to create more positive childhood experiences."

Her report noted that previous negative interactions with the police and a deep-seated distrust of law enforcement fueled the children's actions, as they viewed the riots as an opportunity to retaliate against the police. The report also highlighted that poverty and a lack of community opportunities formed the backdrop for their participation. Dame de Souza criticized the "unusually harsh and rapid" charges following the riots, arguing they overlooked the potential for children to be rehabilitated.

She added that there were significant regional disparities in the outcomes for children within the youth justice system, amounting to a "postcode lottery" for those involved. A government spokesperson stated: “The senseless violence we saw on our streets following the tragic deaths of Bebe, Elsie and Alice was a disgrace to our country, and it was vital our police and the wider criminal justice system moved to bring offenders of all ages to justice in order to restore order. There is no excuse for the violence they inflicted last year.”

“More widely, the government is undertaking work – building on our levelling up agenda – to break down barriers to opportunity, ensuring every child has the best start in life.”