The London borough of Enfield has released data which explains why those people convicted locally for rioting took part in the August disturbances.

From the analysis so far of those convicted of the summer riots a pattern is emerging. The rioters appear in the main to have acted spontaneously,with a large minority already having criminal convictions, and from backgrounds of growing up on deprived estates. There does not appear to have been much gang--related disorder, many travelled to affected areas on bus or by foot and looting was often unplanned and on the spur of the moment.