History of Riot in Timeline

A riot is a form of civil disorder involving public violence against authority figures and property, often stemming from political grievances. Common targets include shops, cars, restaurants, state-owned institutions, and religious buildings, reflecting the rioters' motivations. Government offices are less frequently targeted due to security.

1948: Statute Law Revision Act 1948

In 1948, the following provisions were repealed by section 1 of, and the first schedule to, the Statute Law Revision Act 1948 (11 & 12 Geo. 6.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

See paragraph 13 of Schedule 5 to the Electoral Law Act (Northern Ireland) 1962.

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In 1967, the whole act, so far as unrepealed, was repealed by section 10(2) of, and part I of schedule 3 to, the Criminal Law Act 1967.

1970: Deaths Caused by Rubber Bullets in Northern Ireland

Between 1970 and 2005, seventeen 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 rioted due to the cessation of food subsidies and the subsequent rise in prices.

July 1981: Disorder in Dundee and Edinburgh

In July 1981, both Dundee and Edinburgh saw significant disorder as part of the events of that July. Both Niddrie and Craigmillar saw riots in the 1980s.

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 Stat. 1, of which this chapter was part, was repealed for the Republic of Ireland by section 1 of, and part 2 of the schedule to, the Statute Law Revision Act 1983.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

In 1986, Riot became a statutory offence in England and Wales, created by section 1(1) of the Public Order Act 1986.

1986: Section 10 of the Public Order Act 1986

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

April 1987: Abolishment of common law offence of riot

In April 1987, the common law offence 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 which defined a "violent riot" as a disturbance with the participation of three or more persons, including stone throwing, erection of a barrier or barricade, burning a tire.

1992: Los Angeles Riots

In 1992, the Los Angeles riots resulted in 2,383 injuries, over 12,000 arrests, 63 deaths, and the destruction of over 700 businesses. Property damage was estimated at over $1 billion. At least ten of those killed were shot by police or National Guard forces.

1994: Rioting in Edinburgh

In 1994, Edinburgh saw rioting, albeit localized to one specific area and not part of any bigger 'riot wave'.

1995: Merchant Shipping Act 1995

See the Riot (Damages) Act 1886 and section 235 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995.

2000: Football (Disorder) Act 2000

In 2000, the Football (Disorder) Act 2000 was introduced, enabling the banning of offenders from football grounds and requiring them to surrender their passports to the police during club or international matches/tournaments, following rioting by England fans at Euro 2000.

2005: Deaths Caused by Rubber Bullets in Northern Ireland

Between 1970 and 2005, seventeen deaths were caused by rubber bullets in Northern Ireland.

2005: 2005 Riots in France

In 2005, riots in France lasted over three weeks and spread to nearly 300 towns, resulting in over 10,000 vehicles destroyed, over 300 buildings burned, over 2,800 suspected rioters arrested, and 126 police and firefighters injured. Estimated damages were over €200 Million.