The riot in St Paul's on 2nd April 1980 lasted just under seven hours but had far-reaching repercussions. 19 police officers were wounded and there was widespread property damage.

There was a complete review of relations with the local community and the police and a realisation that years of deprivation in the area had provoked the disturbances. A year later, more serious riots broke out in Brixton, Toxteth and Handsworth, initiated by similar concerns.