Manchester Riots

As the train pulled into

Oxford Road

this morning a sense of panic hit; my housemate and I dreaded to see what had become of our homes and workplaces. We evacuated Salford tonight last night with our valuables and most importantly the hamster, due to fear of the riots by our house.

When we arrived this morning on first appearances the city seemed fine, Oxford road was untouched, the only difference was the very apparent lack of people. We took comfort in the silence and the apparent lack of damage, however it didn’t take long for us to be faced with the destruction left by mindless rioters last night.

We turned onto St. Ann’s Square to see that the shops had been cleared of merchandise and display cabinets shattered. Media crews and freelance photographers are scattered all around. Again on

Market Street

, the devastation intensifies.

What strikes me most, is that there doesn't appear to be any pattern in the attacks. T-Mobile looted, followed by Tesco Express; it would appear the looters just topped up on luxury items and milk. There is no motive other than self gain. A painful sight is those shops that have been looted or set alight with flats above them, a clear sign that the mindless criminals who engaged in last nights attacks do not have an ounce of humanity in them.

I was inspired however, to see so many people out with brooms, bags and shovels cleaning up and proving we are proud of our city and those behaving so destructively last night are the minority and it will not be tolerated.

I am sickened by last night’s events, and frightened for tonight. We live in student accommodation in between a petrol station and the precinct where riots took place in Salford last night. Tonight we intend to stay, however we remain uneasy and ready to leave at any moment.

So the overnight bags and hamster are by the door just in case. Here’s to hoping people regain sense and decency tonight, if not, should you see a group of girls running down the street carrying a hamster cage, say hello!

I have just seen my commentary on the BBC... I really need to make more of an effort with my appearance in the mornings :s