England riots: where they happened and where suspects lived

Monday, August 15, 2011

England riots: where they happened and where suspects lived | Mapped

3:20 AM latest techno report No comments

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How far did people travel to riot? This is our first attempt to map suspected rioters with the events themselves. What does it tell us?
• List of riot-related cases before the magistrates courts
• Interactive map of riot events
• PDF of these maps

Did rioters commute in for the looting? That is a theory being explored by police and politicians. And as hundreds of suspected looters are pushed through the magistrates courts, what information does it tell us about how the events of those nights in early August unfolded?

An analysis of one day's court hearings by BBC Newsnight last week found 70% of those accused of riot-related crimes had travelled from outside their area. Communities secretary Eric Pickles has called it "riot tourism", and it is part of the argument used by those who want to withdraw benefits and council housing from those accused of rioting, even in a different borough.

Similarly, housing minister Grant Shapps said:

If someone has travelled for those riots, then the fact you have committed it in the next-door borough or somewhere else should count equally

We have analysed over 300 records of people on riot-related charges before English magistrates' courts to see where people lived and where the riots took place. The maps above show - for the major events that took place in August 2011 - the effect in each city.

This is not a complete record - and is of alleged cases, some of whom pleaded not guilty. The other caveat is that it does not show which event each suspect is alleged to be part of. But it does show how people arrested and charged in the days following the riots came from all over the cities affected.

Does it tell us anything - what do you think?

• Contact us at data@guardian.co.uk