1990: TROUBLE ON THE STREETS
On 31 March, a peaceful protest against the Community Charge, or Poll Tax, in London swiftly turned into the worst riot the city had seen in a century. The local government tax was deemed unfair by protestors as everyone paid a flat fee regardless of their means. More than 100 people were injured in the protests, 400 rioters were arrested and an estimated £400,000 of damage was done. Underground stations had to be closed and areas around Trafalgar Square were cordoned off. The riot symbolised the end of a political era - Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher resigned eight months later, after 11 years in power, and poll tax was abandoned the following year.