History of Riot in Timeline

A riot is a form of civil disorder involving a violent public disturbance by a group. This violence is often directed towards authority figures, property, or other individuals. Riots are typically characterized by a group of people acting out in a violent manner, often as a form of protest or expression of grievances.

1948: Statute Law Revision Act 1948

In 1948, Section 1 of, and Schedule 1 to, the Statute Law Revision Act 1948 were enacted.

1962: Electoral Law Act (Northern Ireland) 1962

In 1962, the Electoral Law Act (Northern Ireland) 1962, Schedule 5 paragraph 13, was enacted.

1967: Criminal Law Act 1967

In 1967, the whole chapter, so far as unrepealed, was repealed by section 10(2) of, and Part I of Schedule 3 to, the Criminal Law Act 1967.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 involved hundreds of thousands of people rioting after food subsidies were stopped and prices rose, leading to public desperation and unrest.

July 1981: Disorder in Dundee and Edinburgh

In July 1981, both Dundee and Edinburgh experienced significant disorder as part of events that occurred that July, similar to those in England.

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 Stat. 1, of which this chapter was part, was repealed for the Republic of Ireland by section 1 of, and Part 2 of the Schedule to, the Statute Law Revision Act 1983.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

Riot became a statutory offence in England and Wales with the introduction of section 1(1) of the Public Order Act 1986.

1986: Section 10 of the Public Order Act 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, defining 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

During the 1992 Los Angeles riots, 2,383 people were injured, more than 12,000 were arrested, 63 people were killed, and over 700 businesses burned, resulting in property damage estimated at over $1 billion.

1994: Rioting in Edinburgh

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

1995: Merchant Shipping Act 1995

The Riot (Damages) Act 1886 and section 235 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995 are relevant to riot-related incidents.

2000: Football (Disorder) Act 2000

In 2000, the Football (Disorder) Act 2000 was introduced after rioting by England fans at Euro 2000, allowing offenders to be banned from football grounds and required to surrender their passports.

2005: Deaths caused by rubber bullets in Northern Ireland

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

2005: Civil Unrest in France

In 2005, civil unrest in France lasted over three weeks, spreading 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, with estimated damages over €200 Million.