From police brutality to poverty and unemployment, the tensions in Liverpool were compiling at a rapid speed and preparing to explode. This outbreak of social mayhem emanating from these circumstances may be known today as the "Toxteth Riots." On July 3, 1981, the chaos commenced. The initial upheaval lasted for nine days and spread throughout the city by means of neighboring youths joining the battle. Hundreds of black and white youths were among the rebellious, attacking police, looting shops, and setting vehicles aflame (BBC News. Monday, May 28, 2001). By the end of the uproar, an estimated 200 police officers were injured, 200 people were arrested, and at least 70 buildings destroyed (BBC News. Wednesday, July 4, 2001). The factors leading up to this event may be traced back to their most substantial period, during the 60's.

As part of the "Great Empire," the City of Liverpool became one of the world’s most important port cities. Known as the "Port of a Thousand Ships" (Mersinct, 1999 as cited by Woolton Group, 2001), the economic state of the city saw a dramatic increase. However, falling ship industries during the 20th century brought about economic strain (Bootle Group, 2001). Poverty seized Liverpool with the western side of Scotland Road abundant with some of the poorest individuals. Incredible numbers of people were living in the poorest of conditions. A growing number of children who reached an adequate age were taught to steal. These children became organized enough to set up markets in empty warehouses, selling the goods to shop keepers (Brack, 2001 as cited by Bootle Group, 2001).

Crime rates in the sixties in Liverpool became "a threat to society which cannot be ignored," as noted by Manchester’s chief constable (Bootle Group, 2001). When crime rates reached a startling rate in 1954, authorities were astonished to see these levels substantially increase by 1961. By this time, Liverpool’s population had decreased from 856,000 in 1931 to 747,000. Yet, despite the decrease in population, crime was inexplicably on the rise. The Metropolitan Police commissioner noted 1964 as the "worst year of the century for crime" (Bootle Group, 2001). The violence was not only visible in the streets, but it was also a huge problem during football games and became known as "football hooliganism"(Bootle II Group, 2002). Efforts by police to prevent the overwhelming incidence of crime proved ineffective.