London rioters and criminal records

The Guardian reports that around three-quarters of those formally charged over the London riots had previous criminal convictions, and a quarter had been in prison before. I suppose one shouldn't be taken aback by such a report, but, for whatever reason, I'm a little taken surprised by the statistics regardless. Originally, in reaction to reports on the rioting, I wrote that "it's not a political issue now; it's one of morals. But if there is one thing to remember, it is this: we're dealing with thugs, not activists." I stand by it still, and this latest piece of news does little more than evidence that contention further. By no means does the statistic diminish the gravity of the event or change its nature; it's still as deplorable as ever, but at least now, though, we have some form of explanation for the violence that erupted in London. Violence, I might add, that bordered frighteningly close to insanity.