Oxford riots 'misinformation' update

Myself and various friends have received all sorts of misinformation today regarding the apparent rioting in Oxford, including riots in Cowley, riots on the Cowley Road, riots in Headington. This isn't quite the story so far as I can see.

The breakout of violence in Oxford, as reported by the BBC seems to equate to two acts: the McDonalds in Headington being set alight by a person who was later arrested, and a car that was set on fire in Barton.

I was on both the Cowley Rd and Headington High Street today and there was no signs of any rioting, or that there had been any, the Headington McDonalds being up by the roundabout at Barton, not really being in Headingon notwithstanding.

On the Cowley Rd I spotted two police officers 'defending' the new Sainsbury's: these officers later seemed to be migrating to protect the Tescos, obviously being egalitarian about their police protection.

Other than that there seems to be nothing doing, so I those rumors of riots are solely that.

adelayde

Additions

Car set on fire not in Barton...

10.08.2011 10:55

... was Barton Road. BBC got that one wrong. So again Headington.

McSommert

Comments

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Headington's been quiet

09.08.2011 19:16

I can confirm that Headington's been quiet all day.

Headington Henry

let's celebrate the small acts of resistance

09.08.2011 20:37

We know that a McDonalds was attacked near Barton. Just because one guy was arrested, that doesn't mean he did it on his own. To assume that is to downplay its social significance without evidence.

So, yeah, at the moment things aren't kicking off in Oxford on anywhere near the scale they are in London, Bham, etc.

But it sounds like there are at least a handful of people up for it in Barton, and if we want this to spread (I do) then let's not pour cold water on the few brave acts that have occured locally.

anon

is there anybody out there?

09.08.2011 21:20

It seems oxford can happily live in a world of it's own, peacefully shopping at templers square etc. Unable to feel the frustration everyone else can, or the.anger to bust up the shops but we all.can sympathize with them have debates about repression on face book. I hope the unheard voices will get an ear to hear. Perhaps a.peaceful demonstration could have an affect in oxford,?

ket

truth

10.08.2011 07:02

A lot of these so called official reports of rioting are unfounded and only serve to rial people up via false reports. A great deal of these reports have served to increase violence and bring people to an area, instead of notifying people of an influx or out brake of violence already persisting. Oxfordshire is a fine example. After social networks reported riots in oxford, myself and others who investigated these reports only found the McDonalds at Headington roundabout to have had a fire threat, and slight "unrest" in Cowley road, but what I see here about me is peaceful conduct by the citizens of Oxford, Oxfordshire, and Buckinghamshire with a plethora of rediculous claims of rioting, it seems to me, being used to rouse violence where it is void. I encourage more individuals across the nation to report as we have from their local counties and tell the truth as eyewitness testimonies rather than using social networking vehicles to percieve or relate from potential thugs, violence where it is non-existent.

truth

@truth

10.08.2011 15:00

I disagree profoundly with your attitude, but that aside, I'd be interested to hear what 'slight unrest' you saw in Cowley Rd.