HC Deb 13 July 1981 vol 8 cc271-2W
Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will publish in the Official Report the details contained in the communication he sent to the hon. Member for Newham, North-West on 26 June concerning the arrests connected with disturbances in the London area during the past few months.

Mr. Mayhew

Yes. The letter to the hon. Member provided information on arrests at disturbances at Brixton on 10–12 April and at Finsbury Park and Wanstead on 20 April, and on the consequent charges, proceedings and sentences as at 15 June. The information was as follows:

Brixton 338 people had been arrested and charged, 89 of whom had been dealt with by the courts. Of these, seven were acquitted, in three cases no evidence was offered, and 79 were convicted. Of those convicted, one received a sentence of 18 months' imprisonment, one a sentence of six months' imprisonment, one received a suspended sentence of six months' imprisonment, two suspended sentences of three months' imprisonment, including one who in addition was fined, three received detention centre orders, eight community service or attendance centre orders, including one who in addition was fined, 36 others had fines imposed upon them ranging from £2 to £500, three were bound over to keep the peace; 16 were conditionally discharged, two were given an absolute discharge, one was cautioned under the juvenile bureau procedure, and one was made the subject of a supervision order. Four people were remanded for reports ofter being found guilty. The charges giving rise to these court appearances were in respect of offences of burglary, dishonest handling, theft, criminal damage, possession of an offensive weapon, assault on police, insulting or threatening behaviour or being drunk.

Finsbury Park and Wanstead 92 people had been arrested and charged, 18 of whom had been dealt with by the courts. Of these, five had their cases dismissed, and 13 were convicted. Of those convicted, one received a suspended sentence of two months' imprisonment, five were bound over to keep the peace, one was conditionally discharged and six had fines imposed upon them ranging from £25 to £100. The charges giving rise to these court appearances were in respect of offences of burglary, criminal damage, dishonest handling, going equipped for stealing, possession of an offensive weapon, insulting or threatening behaviour, theft, assault, obstruction of the police or highway, or robbery.