Fears over rise of ‘rural rioters’

THE Thatcher Government worried about ‘rural rioters’ in the 1980s, according to the files.

The rise of crime in the countryside caused such concern that Douglas Hurd, then home secretary, commissioned research into ‘drunken mob violence’ in villages. He said he saw ‘similarities between the rural rioter and the football hooligan’.

In a memo from 1988, he noted that there were 83,000 violent offences in county and rural areas the previous year. He wrote: ‘Drunken mob violence goes back centuries; teddy boys in the ’50s, mods and rockers in the ’60s, punks and skinheads in the ’ 70s inherited a long tradition. But I am concerned that the problem is getting worse.’

A report by the Association of Chief Police Officers on rural disorder blamed alcohol, finding that 90 per cent of incidents were drink-related.

Mr Hurd said: ‘Many of the 1625 year- olds involved in these disturbances have a latent capacity for violence. Drink removes their inhibitions and pushes them over the edge.

‘Their parents are at home in front of the Tv and their upbringing and education have failed to give them self-discipline, a sense of social responsibility or much in the way of interest except having a good time.’

Despite his concerns, Mr Hurd refused to consider a ‘rural riot squad’, saying police would ‘spend their time chasing from one end of the county to another’.