Background
Bristol in the 1970s had seen an increase in unemployment and a deterioration of race relations as the right wing National Front party campaigned in local and national elections. St Pauls was blighted by the development of the M32 motorway, which split the area from the neighbouring district of Easton. Much of the housing in the area was in a poor state and local education services failed to cater adequately for the needs of either ethnic minorities or indeed many working class white communities.
Increasing use by the police of Sus laws to stop and search youths, predominantly those from the Afro-Caribbean community, raised tension. There was also an increase in racial harassment on local authority housing estates, which was largely ignored by the housing department.
Read more about this topic: 1980 St. Pauls Riot
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