A MEMBER of the panel set up by the government to explore why the August riots happened is visiting Liverpool today.

Simon Marcus, a member of the Riots Communities and Victims Panel, will see how areas have recovered and try to ensure affected residents have their voices heard.

The Panel has been travelling around England visiting areas that were affected by the riots.

Writing for The Liverpool Post, Mr Marcus said: “We have been speaking to local residents, shopkeepers, young people and voluntary organisations about their experiences last summer.

“You can see our initial findings in our interim report www.5daysinAugust.co.uk.

“Liverpool had 146 crimes committed over the five days of rioting last August as shops were looted, vehicles were burnt and buildings were vandalised.

“During my visit I will meet with police officers who were on the front line during the riots, visit a community centre and speak with youth offending teams, local business representatives and voluntary groups to hear about the excellent work that goes on in the local community.

“I will also visit some of the worst affected areas across the city to see how residents and businesses have managed to recover and re-build to return to a sense of ‘normality’.

“There has been no shortage of national commentary, opinion and speculation on the riots, and this visit is really valuable in allowing me to cut through that, listen to local people and actually understand events from the point of view of those directly affected.

“This is a Panel for the people – and we want to hear from you. Were you a victim, were you tempted to riot or did you stop your children from rioting? We are committed to work to ensure future riots can be prevented.”