Blackburn: Resilient in the face of unrest?

A march by the English Defence League (EDL) in Blackburn town centre on Saturday is reported to have passed off largely peacefully. An estimated 2,000 EDL supporters attended the march with 500 people attending a United Against Racism counter-demonstration. Just twelve arrests were made, mainly for public order offences.

Findings from CLES’ pilot study of our Place Resilience Model, which included an analysis of the Blackburn with Darwen economy, have led us to conclude that areas characterised by strong relationships and networks across and within the commercial, public and social sectors are better placed to implement successful responses to local ‘shocks’. Moreover, in a separate piece of research into the links between ‘cohesion’ and economic development, commissioned by Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, CLES suggests that investment in ‘cohesion’-related activities in the authority was important not only for improving community relations but also for strengthening the local economy.

In response to Saturday’s demonstrations, Divisional Commander for Eastern Division Bob Eastwood commented:

‘All our officers and staff should also be commended for their efforts, as well as those who have worked alongside us from other organisations, in particular Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, community volunteers, marshalls and mediators’.

Further to this, local traders were praised by Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council’s deputy chief executive, Harry Catherall, for their cooperation and perseverance.

For CLES, it is strong relationships and collaboration between the public, social and commercial economies that helps to create places that are well-functioning, inclusive and equitable – and also resilient to external social and economic ‘shocks’.

As Bob Eastwood’s comment suggests, a key factor in the successful handling of Saturday’s events was that partners from across the three key elements of the economy came together to develop a coordinated and rapid response.

As CLES has argued in our recent publication entitled, ‘Where next for ethnic diversity policy-making at the local level?’, the current climate of public sector cuts may result in a rise in community tensions in the months and years ahead.

With this in mind, localities should look to the Blackburn experience and consider how they too can enhance their resilience to similar events in the future.