“We've got to be tough, we've got to be robust, we've got to score a clear line between right and wrong right through the heart of this country”: can and should the post‐riot populist rhetoric be translated into reality?

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to critically appraise how the coalition government intends to respond to the riots and disorder that took place in England in 2011, with particular reference to conduct regulation legislation and policy.

Design/methodology/approach

Coalition government policies announced post‐riots have been reflected upon and considered alongside flagship policies from the previous New Labour government (1997‐2010), as well as coalition policies introduced when they came to power in May, 2010.

Findings

Coalition policy post‐riots appears to have shifted from a localism agenda, to be replaced by a default reliance upon conduct regulation directed by central government. Furthermore, a number of these rhetoric laden policies are perceived to lack the focus and detail required to provide an effective policy response.

Originality/value

Post‐riot policy announcements are placed in the wider criminal justice context, highlighting some of the practical issues that may require consideration upon policy implementation.

Citation

Heap, V. and Smithson, H. (2012), "“We've got to be tough, we've got to be robust, we've got to score a clear line between right and wrong right through the heart of this country”: can and should the post‐riot populist rhetoric be translated into reality?", Safer Communities, Vol. 11 No. 1, pp. 54-61. https://doi.org/10.1108/17578041211200128