Actually, Rhiannon's point was entirely valid IMO. The riots have been analysed by all those that have investigated them as mainly opportunist criminal looting directed at property and much less as directed at individual members of the public. I remember football riots, mods and rockers, teddy boys and multifarious gangs on street corners all of whom often attacked "The public" directly.

PS I've been in a few staff rooms in my time. You should reserve your dismissive "not valid" stamp of disapproval for the claim that the majority of the occupants are almost communists.