Twitter Users Clean Up London Riot Aftermath

Social network users are using technology to coordinate cleanup operations across London, reports BBC News.

A Twitter account called @riotcleanup attracted more than 18,000 followers in just a few hours after its creation. The account has been used to organize cleanup teams across the city.

Others are using the Twitter hash tag #riotscleanup to raise awareness of London’s cleanup needs and coordinate neighborhood efforts to keep residential areas safe.

Lewisham resident Claire Parkinson has said the social media-driven cleanup efforts are also a way to show support for local businesses.

“We want to see if they need any help—even if it is just getting them a cup of tea,” she said. “We also want to show that we are not all bad—a lot of people are going to feel down after these events.”

In Enfield, roads closed after the riots began, crippling small businesses. An Enfield Council cabinet member for the environment praised street workers for their efforts to help the town reopen for business.

“This shows we will not let these criminals beat us,” he said. “We will not surrender our streets to these mindless morons.”

The Association of British Insurers has estimated the total cost of damage repair for the streets and buildings of London to be into the tens of millions of pounds.