So people went out and started rioting just because they saw others do it on tv? That would be just...stupid... Surely you aren't suggesting there is a sound logic behind the rioting? Of course people saw it and reciprocated in Birmingham, Nottingham and elsewhere. The media was branding the police as useless, and like someone said before, rioting is about the power it gives people and if they can see that there is little being done to stop it then it gives them a reason to go out and do it themselves.