Comment on Hollow promises exposed on riot report's anniversary from pages 16-17
IT IS a year since the panel set up to investigate the root causes of the August 2011 riots published its findings.
Even at the time, the report was criticised and labelled a whitewash, before there had been any chance for its recommendations to be worked upon or enforced.
So what, if anything, has changed in the past 12 months?
The good news is that some of the measures put forward by the riot panel have clearly been acted on.
The rather scattergun approach to stop and search has been modified and we now have more riot-trained officers in the borough (the next trick is to actually keep them here when needed).
A few other recommendations, notably the idea of police bases for New Addington and London Road, are no closer to becoming a reality – in fact that particular prospect is arguably even further away, following the recently announced police cuts.
The big thing that must change, however – and fast – is the worrying lack of urgency to make sure all those affected by the events of August 8, 2011, are compensated.
The Mayor of London has promised millions for those in London Road but this must deliver some real, tangible results as soon as possible.
Our report this week suggests dozens of people are still owed financial compensation for losses they incurred during the riots.
While parts of Croydon are moving on from the riots, there is a very real feeling that those in London Road are the forgotten victims.
Forget headline-grabbing, throwaway lines about new police stations – this is the real post-riot nut still left to be cracked.
Comment on Remembering the dog who saved World Cup from page 22
SO IT'S actually happening – there will be a festival devoted to a dog in South Norwood.
Fair play to those who have organised Picklesfest, in honour of the mutt that rescued the World Cup. These guys are far from barking mad, but what's the lead organiser's name?
Ian Bone, of course.