The 1981 Brixton riots

The 1981 Brixton riots, one of the most famous protest movements that shook Britain, occurred between 10 and 12 April 1981 in Brixton, London, and involved primarily black adolescents and the Metropolitan Police. It was the result of racist discrimination against the black community by the predominantly white police, particularly the increased use of stop-and-search in the area, as well as ongoing tensions resulting from the deaths of 13 black teenagers and young adults in the suspicious New Cross house fire that January.

According to the BBC, many black individuals in the country felt divided. There was significant unemployment, and racial tensions, and the country's black population had negative connections with the police in many places. Many young black people believed that police officers treated them unfairly and used the stop and search' statute as one method. Under this law, the police might stop and search anyone if they suspected them of planning to commit a crime. Many black rioters believed that they were being targeted for searches solely because of the color of their skin.

The main disturbance on 11 April, called "Bloody Saturday" by Time magazine, resulted in 279 police injuries and 45 public injuries; over a hundred cars were destroyed, including 56 police vehicles; almost 150 buildings were damaged, thirty of which were burned out, and numerous shops were looted. There were 82 people arrested. According to reports, up to 5,000 people were part. The Brixton incident was followed by disturbances in many other English cities and towns in July.

Date: 10–12 April 1981
Location: Brixton, South London, England

Result: injuring 279 police officers and 45 members of the public