Citizens' riots inquiry set for final meeting (From Haringey Independent)

Citizens' riots inquiry set for final meeting

3:43pm Wednesday 23rd November 2011 in News By David Hardiman, Reporter

A COMMUNITY inquiry into August's riots ends this Saturday with a final public hearing in Tottenham.

The six-week inquiry, run by an alliance of schools, faith leaders and charities called North London Citizens, will hear evidence from victims and nearby residents for the last time at Tottenham Town Hall, and is open for any member of the public to make a contribution.

The Citizens Inquiry – separate from Haringey Council and Government panels – is led by ten 'commissioners' selected for being prominent members of the community – such as founder of Haringey Young People Empowered Symeon Brown and headteacher of The Willow Primary School Dawn Ferdinand.

A team of volunteers has spent the last five weeks travelling around Tottenham speaking to shoppers, worshippers, and members of the community Inquiry volunteer Richard Poku, 17, said that he gathered views on a walkabout because he wanted to get views from ordinary people so that the panel members could come up with a set of worthwhile recommendations.

He said: “I learnt a lot about the Tottenham riots from different perspectives on the walk.

“I liked the fact that people want to make a change and try and make Tottenham a better place again.”

The panel will provide a set of recommendations early next year on how to stop riots happening again – which they hope will be voluntarily pushed through by community leaders.

A peaceful prayer vigil for shot Tottenham man Mark Duggan on August 6 ended in a violent riot through the street, causing shops to be looted and buildings to be set on fire – leaving more than 50 families homeless.

Three days of looting and rioting followed in towns and cities across England, including in neighbouring boroughs Enfield and Hackney.

The final two-hour meeting at Tottenham Town Hall in Town Hall Approach Road on Saturday starts at 11am.