Robust Policing and Defiant Identities: A Social Identity Study of the Greater Manchester Riots 2011

Abstract

This thesis explores the intergroup dynamics during the development of rioting at two sites in Greater Manchester in 2011, Pendleton, in Salford, and Manchester city centre. The primary theoretical contribution of this thesis is to the Elaborated Social Identity Model of the development of conflict (ESIM, Drury & Reicher 2000). Through detailed analysis of how the intergroup dynamics informed the development of the two riots, and participants' subjective experiences, the thesis confirms and extends the ESIM understandings of the social psychological processes involved in escalating intergroup conflict. In doing so, this thesis also contributes to Waddington et al's (1989) 'flashpoints' model. Through specifying the different processes, this thesis further elucidates 'flashpoints' interactional level by detailing the relationship between different intergroup dynamics and the development and character of rioting observed. The thesis also contributes to Baudains et al (2013b) account of the spread of rioting in London by outlining the social psychological processes involved in the escalation of rioting. Furthermore, through analysis of novel police, fire service, social media, and participant interview data, this thesis makes an empirical contribution to the literature on the 2011 riots. Triangulated multi-source accounts of the development of rioting at both sites are produced that contribute to understanding the extent to which secondary riots in 2011 were postpolitical, consumerist riots, or political, grievance-based riots. Findings confirm and extend the ESIM account of the intergroup dynamics in developing riots. Different policing tactics were observed at the two sites which correlated with different intergroup dynamics and elicited different behavioural outcomes. In line with ESIM's understanding of undifferentiated police action on crowds, Salford rioters became a unified group in opposition to the police. Through this unity rioters were empowered to expel the police from Salford. Rioters in Manchester city centre did not violently confront the police in the same manner as in Salford. Instead, looting began without the need for an anti-police riot. The more defensive policing in Manchester saw the crowd becoming unified through a different process. Supporting Stott et al (2018), it is argued that a positive feedback loop united and empowered the crowd. The crowd increasingly realised their power as initial riotous actions demonstrated the police's inability to control the situation. In line with the ESIM, experiential outcomes correlated with the different processes observed at each site (Drury & Reicher 2005). Dis-united Manchester city centre rioters reported limited experiences of empowerment which was further curtailed by the criminal justice response. However, effusive accounts of empowerment were noted in accounts of rioting in Salford. One particular account of empowerment was notable for enduring even after imprisonment. The implications of this thesis' findings for explanations of secondary rioting in 2011, public order policing, and the 'spread' of rioting are discussed.

Date of Award	26 Jun 2018
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	The University of Manchester
Supervisor	Judith Aldridge (Co Supervisor) & Jonathan Shute (Main Supervisor)