The Moss Side riots broke out 30 years ago this week.
In a week-long series of special reports, we look back on the violence, what caused it, the people caught up in it, and how the area has changed since.
Click on the links below ...
- The night years of anger exploded in an orgy of violence
- 'We thought it was a bit of a joke ... then rocks and bottles started hitting our police van'
- Routine 999 call that led ambulance man into the lion's den
- Shops firebombed and left at the mercy of looters
- 135 were hauled before the courts
- Bitter memories remain - but 'things have improved'
- Man with a vision of harmony who stood up to rioters
- The struggle to find a way through troubled waters
- Inquiry was biased and distorted, says community leader
- Doctor who had to help despite the risks
- From shebeens to guns ... and now a brighter future
- How investment in housing and education is helping change lives
- Moss Side people were on OUR side during riots, says police chief
- 'Racism was much more open then'
- Neighbourhood changed forever for actor Chris Bisson
Comments
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I remember late at night Granada TV flashing up which areas of Manchester had joined in - Rusholme and Longsight among them. But if I remember rightly there were incidents even in places like Denton, shop windows going in.
the whole point of the riot was the police racism, back then if you had a blackskin, you get pulled over and searched, hang on their doing that to young muslims now! no change then. Another riot brewing?
There used to be a motorcycle shop called Horners in Moss Side. Anyone know if that was looted/burnt out in the riots?
live42day, I was there that night and witnessed what went on and you are talking complete rubbish in every word of your post.
@Paul Simkins
go to Moss Side and ask black men who are in their 40's!
@When in Rome
Give us the whole story then!
On the plus side, it got a whole lot of money pumped into housing and other capital projects in Moss Side.
On the negative side, when the building work was under way they moved people (and their associated issues) out to the as then largely harmonious Longsight. Unfortunately all the money kept getting pumped into redevelopments in Moss Side whilst the people with problems were left unfunded in Longsight.
It also caused a few issues between the younger Afro-Caribbean population moving into first and second generation communities in Longsight & Rusholme who say their youngsters exposed to drugs and violence and given the suggestion that the way to get money from government wasn't to sit down and work together but to use violence. I'd say at a local level this started the politicisation of Asian youths and a lessening of respect for their parents.
Northern Ireland Big Boys' Rules never applied to English riots. Pick-axe handle wielding squaddies and combat hardened snatch squads would have quelled the disturbances in double quick time. The lessons learned were that rioting pays off in terms of investment and affirmative action. Nothing new then. Kick up a big fuss, throw all your toys out and set fire to the shanty. You will get a lolly. Don't upset us in Didsbury however. Property values must be protected!
Just got back from portugal so sorry for the late comment. I worked both nights as a firefighter back then. Some of the posts on here are accurate, some not. Thursday night i went to visit the mother-in-law and whilst in a phone box outside Princess Rd school i was arrested for obstructing the police in there course of duty. Unless i had jumped the cue to use the phone, or robbed someone for the 2pence to use the phone, i was oblivious to the fact that the police were arresting anybody who was out on the streets at 19 45pm..I followed the same route as ( WHEN IN ROME ) took and was in court on the friday afternoon at 15 30pm. Oh by the way did i say i was a BLACK firefighter. You make your mind up !!!!!