Darra Singh to chair riots probe

Darra Singh, current chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, will chair the Communities and Victims Panel, which will explore the causes of the disorder.

Singh was previously chief executive of Ealing Council, an area affected by rioting, and was the first chair of London’s Serious Youth Violence Board, a two-year project set up in late 2008.

The Communities and Victims Panel has been tasked with finding out why people took part in the riots and why the riots happened in some areas and not others.

It will also look at how key public services engaged with communities before, during and after the riots; what motivated local people to come together to take civic action to resist riots; and how communities can be made more socially and economically resilient in the future to prevent future problems.

Singh said: "I think it is vital that we hear straight from individuals and communities that have been affected directly and indirectly by the riots. 

"Along with the other panel members, I am looking forward to hearing their views on the causes and their ideas on how similar events can be prevented in future."

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg stressed the importance of listening to victims of the riots.

"Only by listening to people who have been affected by the riots – the victims – will we ever be able to move on and rebuild for the long term," he said. "This is not just about individuals, but entire communities."

Clegg added: "These victims, who stood side by side and refused to be beaten by the senseless destruction, hold the key to how residents, shopkeepers, parents, young people and communities can move on.

"This will be a grass roots review – we want to know what happened at street level, not from afar and only from the perspective of those affected.

"Having worked with young people, and on housing and violence issues in a range of cities around the country, including London, Darra will be able to lead the panel and delve into this gloomy chapter of Britain’s history."

The panel will present its early findings in November, ahead of a final report in March 2012.