1980 St. Pauls riot the "Western Daily Press". 16 of those arrested were prosecuted for riot, but all were either acquitted, had the charges dropped or were discharged after the jury failed to reach a verdict. Copycat riots in Southmead, a predominately white working-class council estate, occurred soon after the St Pauls disturbance. Later commentators suggested that poverty and the sus laws were more important causes of the riots than race. The House of Commons Home Affairs Select Committee held a session in Bristol and Home Secretary William Whitelaw came to the city to hold meetings with the local authorities and representatives of the
St Pauls, Bristol Pauls has a large African-Caribbean population. The relative poverty of the area has created a strong community spirit shown in the St Pauls Carnival, similar to the Notting Hill Carnival in London. It has been run annually since 1967, and it now attracts an average of 40,000 people each year. This is a vibrant parade with local primary schools and community groups joining in. The main Parks are St. Agnes Park and St. Paul's Park. There also Portland and Brunswick squares. Other greens spaces include Grosvenor Road Triangle, Dalrymple Road Park, there is additional green space outside the community centre