Broken Britain - literally.

I was a helpless onlooker as I saw thugs smash in the windows of my local Natwest bank on East Ham High Street.  On the other side of the road, Barclays bank had been broken into - its computers dragged out on the pavement outside.   Further down the road, Argos was being ransacked - through the side entrance, dozens of people excitedly skipped into the stock room to emerge a few seconds later clasping onto their new possessions.  At one point, a young person emerged from the store with a trolley brimming with goods - he was met with cheering and laughter.  These scenes were repeated across London and other major cities.

David Cameron is wrong to label the England riots as "criminality, pure and simple."  Although the riots were not overtly political, they were fuelled by social and political causes.  As the riots ensued, we heard people ask why the rioters would harm their own community.  Well, the answer is, too many people don't feel part of that community.  They see themselves as separate and different to their community.  There is no sense of belonging or duty.  Thus, they have no qualms about looting and smashing windows - they have no stake in their local community.