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~ INTRODUCTION AND FOCUS OF RESEARCH ~ Names once only known to the Cavern Pub in Liverpool, the Beatles and the Rolling Stones rose to the level of household names since their beginnings in England. Their music opened the doors to an era of youthful expression. Despite Liverpool’s isolation, music brought the city into mainstream pop culture. Although beneficial in some regards, music was also seen in a negative light; thought to promote violence. Crime rates during this period were at an all time high (Bootle Group, 2001). The violence in pubs became so common that the disturbances no longer affected band performances (Woolton Group, 2001). Music may have been a reflection of the times, but those who attributed the prominence of crime only to music were neglecting the environment around them.This report will focus on the underlying issues concerning the Toxteth riots, such as crime, police, government, living conditions, gangs, racial issues and immigration. It will also examine the theoretical aspects of the event in question, using such theories as strain and frustration-aggression theory. It is our hope that this research will have provided a better understanding of the various aspects and theories concerning the riots. ~ LIVERPOOL'S HISTORY AND CRIME RATES IN 1960 ~ From police brutality to poverty and unemployment, the tensions in Liverpool were compiling at a rapid speed and preparing to explode. This outbreak of social mayhem emanating from these circumstances may be known today as the "Toxteth Riots." On July 3, 1981, the chaos commenced. The initial upheaval lasted for nine days and spread throughout the city by means of neighboring youths joining the battle. Hundreds of black and white youths were among the rebellious, attacking police, looting shops, and setting vehicles aflame (BBC News. Monday, May 28, 2001). By the end of the uproar, an estimated 200 police officers were injured, 200 people were arrested, and at least 70 buildings destroyed (BBC News. Wednesday, July 4, 2001). The factors leading up to this event may be traced back to their most substantial period, during the 60's.As part of the "Great Empire," the City of Liverpool became one of the world’s most important port cities. Known as the "Port of a Thousand Ships" (Mersinct, 1999 as cited by Woolton Group, 2001), the economic state of the city saw a dramatic increase. However, falling ship industries during the 20th century brought about economic strain (Bootle Group, 2001). Poverty seized Liverpool with the western side of Scotland Road abundant with some of the poorest individuals. Incredible numbers of people were living in the poorest of conditions. A growing number of children who reached an adequate age were taught to steal. These children became organized enough to set up markets in empty warehouses, selling the goods to shop keepers (Brack, 2001 as cited by Bootle Group, 2001).Crime rates in the sixties in Liverpool became "a threat to society which cannot be ignored," as noted by Manchester’s chief constable (Bootle Group, 2001). When crime rates reached a startling rate in 1954, authorities were astonished to see these levels substantially increase by 1961. By this time, Liverpool’s population had decreased from 856,000 in 1931 to 747,000. Yet, despite the decrease in population, crime was inexplicably on the rise. The Metropolitan Police commissioner noted 1964 as the "worst year of the century for crime" (Bootle Group, 2001). The violence was not only visible in the streets, but it was also a huge problem during football games and became known as "football hooliganism"(Bootle II Group, 2002). Efforts by police to prevent the overwhelming incidence of crime proved ineffective. CRIMEThere were many factors which contributed to the creation of the Toxteth riots, one of which was the amount of crime that was occurring before, and up to when the riots broke out. To curb the amount of crime taking place it was decided that more police should join the fight against crime. Most importantly, the Penal Code was revised and made the punishments for crimes, even nonviolent ones, brutal and harsh. That being done, people started to think that ". . . since the punishment was the same regardless of the crime committed; there was no real incentive to avoid particularly violent offences" (Bootle Group, 2001). Still, the increased law enforcement and the new brutal Penal Code seemed not to have a grip on the rising crime rate, which reached the highest of the 20th century in 1964.
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