London Evening Standard/London


Women pass boarded up shops in Ealing, west London, yesterday
A London academic is using Twitter to advise rioters on how to avoid being caught by the police.
Cambridge University educated Jacob Bard-Rosenberg, 25, has defended his actions in publishing information telling looters to cover their faces and providing names of legal firms to call if they are arrested.
Bard-Rosenberg, a former University of London course administrator from Archway, tweeted: “For anyone heading to places where riots are: 1) Mask up. Properly, not just a hood.”
He gives contact details for several legal firms “if you get nicked”. Bard-Rosenberg said he was simply interested in ensuring the 525 people arrested mainly for public order and theft offences had proper legal advice. He said: “I’m simply giving out numbers of good solicitors, which I recommend that people use.”
Bard-Rosenberg, who has been compared to Private Eye’s Left-wing comic creation Dave Spart, refused to condemn the looting.
He even went as far as to warn alleged rioters: “If you’re pictured get rid of your clothes and change your appearance!” after the Met released the first images.
He told the Standard: “I’m not standing up for anyone, but it depends on what they are looting and why.”
However, Bard-Rosenberg, who studied for an MA in Cultural and Critical Studies at Birkbeck College, did not distinguish between “people who can’t afford food” and those stealing trainers.
The Left-wing blogger wants to “buddy up” with others to be riot legal observers.
Another flyer offering in-depth tips on the best way to avoid the consequences of looting is also circulating, entitled ‘Don’t Panic: Don’t Talk’, with which Bard-Rosenberg denies any links.