Letter: The role of poverty in this summer's riots

Sir: James Spencer attributes the recent riots on housing estates to poverty, asserting that they 'have taken place on deprived inner-city housing estates' (letter, 27 July). Leaving aside that some or most of these estates are not inner-city - a Labour councillor described one as 'model' with good amenities for the young - it is well to recall that in the prosperous Eighties we had winter riots on the soccer fields - riots that were extended into Europe by hooligans not short of a bob or two.

Some members of 'firms' set up to attack rival supporters boasted of their affluence: one of those organising the violence gave his occupation as 'company director'.

Faithfully,

E. PAULL

London, SW16

27 July