History of Riot in Timeline

A riot is a form of civil disorder marked by public violence committed by a group of people against authority figures or property. This typically involves destruction of public or private property, with targets ranging from shops and cars to religious buildings and state-owned institutions. While riots can stem from political grievances, government offices themselves are usually not the primary target due to security measures.

1948: Statute Law Revision Act 1948

In 1948, provisions were repealed by section 1 of, and the first schedule to, the Statute Law Revision Act 1948 (11 & 12 Geo. 6. c. 62).

1962: Electoral Law Act (Northern Ireland) 1962

In 1962, paragraph 13 of Schedule 5 to the Electoral Law Act (Northern Ireland) 1962, addresses riots.

1967: Criminal Law Act 1967

In 1967, the whole act, so far as unrepealed, was repealed by section 10(2) of, and part I of schedule 3 to, the Criminal Law Act 1967.

January 1968: Criminal Law Act 1967 Enforcement

In January 1968, the Criminal Law Act 1967, which repealed the whole act so far as unrepealed, came into force.

1970: Deaths Caused by Rubber Bullets

In 1970, deaths were caused by rubber bullets in Northern Ireland.

1977: Egyptian Bread Riots

In 1977, the Egyptian Bread Riots occurred as hundreds of thousands of people protested after food subsidies were stopped, leading to price increases.

July 1981: Disorder in Dundee and Edinburgh

In July 1981, both Dundee and Edinburgh experienced significant disorder as part of the events of that month, similar to those in England, with riots occurring in Niddrie and Craigmillar.

1983: Statute Law Revision Act 1983

In 1983, the statute 2 Hen. 5. Stat. 1, of which this chapter was part, was repealed for the Republic of Ireland by section 1 of, and part 2 of the schedule to, the Statute Law Revision Act 1983.

1986: Public Order Act 1986, Section 10

In 1986, Section 10 of the Public Order Act 1986 was enacted.

April 1987: Abolishment of the Common Law Offence of Riot

In April 1987, the common law offense of riot was abolished for England and Wales.

1988: Israeli Army Rules of Engagement for Plastic Bullets

In 1988, the Israeli army issued rules of engagement for the use of plastic bullets, defining a "violent riot" as a disturbance with the participation of three or more persons, including stone throwing, erection of a barrier or barricade, or burning a tire.

1992: Los Angeles Riots

In 1992, the Los Angeles riots resulted in significant damage and casualties, with 2,383 people injured, over 12,000 arrested, 63 deaths, and over 700 businesses burned, causing over $1 billion in property damage.

1994: Rioting in Edinburgh

In 1994, Edinburgh experienced rioting, localized to a specific area.

1995: Merchant Shipping Act 1995

The Riot (Damages) Act 1886 and section 235 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995 are relevant to riots.

2000: Football (Disorder) Act 2000

In 2000, the Football (Disorder) Act 2000 was brought in after rioting of England fans at Euro 2000, enabling banning offenders from football grounds and requiring them to surrender their passports to the police.

2005: Riots in France

In 2005, riots in France spread to nearly 300 towns, lasting over three weeks and resulting in over 10,000 vehicles destroyed, over 300 buildings burned, over 2,800 suspected rioters arrested, and 126 police and firefighters injured, with estimated damages exceeding €200 million.