CROYDON RIOTS: Magistrates speaks of riot experience (From Streatham Guardian)

CROYDON RIOTS: Magistrates speaks of riot experience

8:00am Wednesday 8th August 2012 in Riots: One year on

Novello Noades, 53, a serving magistrate from Purley, who is married to ex-Crystal Palace chairman Ron Noades, said it was a scary time for her family as her son, Ross, a police sergeant for the Metropolitan Police, was involved in dealing with the rioters.

She said: "We were aware of the dangers our son was facing on the front line dealing with the rioters. "When you experience disintegration like that, you realize just how important law and order is in society.

"I personally feel that Croydon has moved on and there is a lot more positive feel around. I think people are aware of the boundaries now and realise behaving like that is not acceptable.

"All sorts of people went before the courts but I think the vast majority realise their mistakes and things are looking up. I think a message went out to those involved and it has been taken on board."