It's easy to blame left or right for this. But the fact is that there is a large section of the UK that is marginalised, disenfranchised, disaffected, do not feel a part of a community, do not feel like they have any control over their destiny, and do not feel like they will ever amount to anything, all despite living in one of the wealthiest nations on Earth. And it doesn't solve anything to just say "well I came up from a council estate and look at me."
They aren't mindless, they are exerting their influence. And as it became clear that it was possible to do so with impunity, it is barely surprising it spread.
I'm not condoning looting, but I can understand where it comes from. Burning peoples houses and businesses - the niihlism - is a much more scary idea. I was talking to mates who live just a couple of hundred yards from Reeves Corner while it was up in flames and they were $hitting themselves - there was no justification for that.
The trouble with water canons, according to the EXPERT they had on the BBC earlier, is that when they run out of water, they have to be refilled.
I'm really glad that they had an EXPERT on to explain that really complex concept for me.