Haringey Community Relations Council: Broadwater Farm meeting 19 November 1985

About this item

This document records the notes from a Haringey Community Relations Council meeting held on 19 November 1985 at Broadwater Farm, following the unrest earlier that year. It captures community concerns about police tactics, the impact of the disturbance, and calls for reform and better support for Tottenham. The meeting reflects local responses to serious conflict marked by loss of life and tension between residents and the police.

Key points:
– The disturbance at Broadwater Farm was unique because two people died and firearms were used for the first time on the estate.
– The conflict was geographically limited to the Broadwater Farm estate, highlighting localised grievances.
– There was a significant lack of confidence in the police among community members.
– The police response involved threats to use plastic bullets, CS gas, and new riot gear, which the community deemed unwarranted and likely to escalate violence.
– Community representatives emphasized the need for improved police training, better management, and reduction of excessive police presence, as well as increased resources for Tottenham.

The meeting took place in the aftermath of the 1985 Broadwater Farm riot, a pivotal moment in Black British political history that exposed fraught relations between police and Black communities. Activists like Bernie Grant, deeply involved in local government and anti-racist campaigning, highlighted issues of oppressive policing and the demand for systemic reform. This document underscores community resistance to militarised policing and aligns with broader struggles for racial justice and equitable local governance.

Source note: The OCR transcript contains some errors and incomplete phrases, particularly at the end, which may affect the full comprehension of certain points. Interpretations focus on clearly legible information.