1) The 2011 London riots began after the shooting of Mark Duggan by police. This catalyzed existing tensions between police and youth in poorer communities over issues like unemployment, family breakdown, and lack of opportunities. The riots then spread to other cities as an act of "copycat violence". 2) Youth involved in the riots felt they did not receive a fair representation in the media. News coverage largely featured police perspectives rather than interviews with rioters themselves. This reinforced negative stereotypes of youth as "thugs" and "yobs". 3) Sociologist Stan Cohen's theory of "folk devils" and "moral panic" helps explain the events. The large youth involvement caused public alarm