The images of burning buildings and looting of shops that took place between Aug. 5 and 9 in parts of London and other major cities, including Birmingham, Manchester and Liverpool, have rightly made the English people ashamed. The damage caused has been serious and some families have lost their homes and all their possessions. Some of the rioting was organized by gangs of hooded youths coordinated via social-networking sites such as Twitter. Much of the looting was inspired by infectious greed. Sports shops were among those looted; 30 shops out of 250 in one chain were attacked.

The riots were ended as a result of tough action by the police. When it looked as though mayhem might spread and that law and order was breaking down, some called for the use by the police of rubber bullets, water cannon and tear gas as used in other countries. Others called for curfews in riot spots and even for the army to be called in. Fortunately none of these measures proved necessary.

Over 2,000 people have been arrested and are being tried for various offenses including looting, arson, robbery, and in two cases murder. In London half of those being brought before the courts were teenagers. Much to the dismay of magistrates and judges some parents did not attend the courts to help their children.