The "why" is down to one of the cornerstones but also one of the main weaknesses of democracy.
They are doing it because they are cunts and because they can.

I forget the source of the quote, but it's something like "in a true democracy a police force would not be able retain control of streets from a population prepared to fight. The trick to a democracy is to never let the populace know this"

Well, they know now. The quote was meant to apply to legitimate protest but it works the same for mindless thugs. Simply, they are doing it because they are getting away with it.

And that's also why curfew and violent military intervention will work. It's wrong and it's horrible but a free telly is less appealing when it might cost you a cracked skull or a broken back. And *bang* we're back in the fucking dark ages.
( the mighty badger Aphrodite, on a bar stool, by your side, Tue 9 Aug 2011, 11:12, 2 replies, latest was 15 years ago)

so what made people realise this now, do you think?
or is it just an accident of timing?
( Citizen Cavy Admires your passion for conformity, Tue 9 Aug 2011, 11:13, Reply)

I don't know
but my gut feeling is that in recent times, any "legitimate" protest, such as the initial Tottenham one at the weekend (or, say, the student marches or cuts marches) are accompanied by a violent, criminal element. In the other two examples the police waded straight in, breaking heads and taking names. This time, I think they were a) unprepared for the numbers involved and b) I think they initally stood off because they were scared of being seen as heavy-handed. And everything spreads so fast now that as soon as a few people get away with looting a shop the world knows about it and the cunt world joins in.

I'm only speculating on this part though.
( the mighty badger Aphrodite, on a bar stool, by your side, Tue 9 Aug 2011, 11:17, Reply)

The police should have reacted much more quickly and strongly.
All the last few days have done is shown that they can be overwhelmed far too easily. There was an intelligent element to a lot of these riots. Sure, the majority of them were kids, but in some areas fires were set because they knew it would tie the police up and stop them being able to arrest looters.

I doubt things will carry on for much longer as nine police forces are now sending help.
( Kroney, Tue 9 Aug 2011, 11:15, Reply)