Background to Keith Blakelock murder

THE brutal murder of policeman Keith Blakelock during a fierce inner-city riot encapsulated the horrific violence meted out on the Broadwater Farm estate.

The 40-year-old constable was set upon by a mob and hacked to death with a machete on 6 October, 1985, during disturbances in Tottenham, north London. The riots were sparked by the death of Cynthia Jarrett, 49, after four police officers burst into her home.

At the time, Mrs Jarrett's son Floyd was in custody at Tottenham police station over a matter relating to a car tax disc, in which he had allegedly given officers a false name.