Courts failed people ‘caught up’ in UK riots in 2011, says ex-chief prosecutor

Custodial sentences for rioters were much harsher, despite a fifth never having committed a crime before

Pressures in the criminal justice system meant it failed to distinguish between repeat offenders and people caught up" in the 2011 English riots, a former chief prosecutor has said.

More than 2,000 people were convicted of riot-related offences with harsh sentences doled out. The average custodial sentence for riot-related cases was more than double compared with similar offences in 2010 in magistrates courts, while in crown courts it rose by three-quarters, according to Ministry of Justice analysis.