Oral Histories

The 'sus' law was to be replaced by a new law of attempt and a new offence of interference with vehicles.

Colour and Citizenship: A Report on British Race Relations, the first survey of race relations in Britain was published.

12 Asian men, known as the Bradford 12, were acquitted of charges of making explosive devices with the intent to cause damage to property and persons.

A police incident in St Paul's, Bristol sparked violent clashes.

Tensions between the local community and the police in Brixton escalated to riots.

Independent Inquiry presented serious indictment of policing before, during and after the Tottenham riot.

The Daily Telegraph reported the Metropolitan Police Commissioner saying that the greatest problem for himself and successors would be 'getting along with ethnic minorities' in London.

George Lindo had been jailed for robbery despite strong alibis, no direct evidence against him and evidence of a false 'confession'. In June 1979, he was cleared by the Court of Appeal.

Two men died during 48 hours of rioting in the Handsworth district of Birmingham in September 1985.

The Scrap Sus Campaign told Parliament that the 'sus' law was a major cause of the deteriorating relationship between the black community and the police.

The Home Secretary announced an inquiry into racist organisations in Britain.

13 people were killed and 29 injured in a fire that engulfed a house in New Cross, south London.

Eight youths were arrested when fighting took place between a group of Asian youths and three police officers in plain clothes.

Riots erupted at the Notting Hill Carnival after tensions developed between the police and black youth attending the festival.

Jury returned a verdict of unlawful killing at the inquest into the death of John Mikkleson.

Policy Studies Institute report said that racialism and racial prejudice were pervasive within the Metropolitan Police.

In April 1978 Runnymede launched the report, 'Sus – A Report on the Vagrancy Act 1824 by Research Officer Clare Demeuth.

Lord Scarman's inquiry into disorders in Brixton found that they were caused by built-up resentment and tensions resulting from racial disadvantage and discrimination.

Disturbances in Southall after National Front St George's Day election meeting.

Following rioting in Handsworth, rioting took place in a number of other areas in September and October 1985.