BRITAIN faces a repeat of the 2011 riots because of growing public hostility, a new centre for criminal behaviour on Teesside is warning.

Academics from Teesside University's new Centre for Realist Criminology claim that many people are angry and feel their views are not represented within our "banal" political system and we should expect more "outbursts" as the 21st century unfolds.

The centre aims to investigate the changing nature of crime and the social harms and injustices that affect society.

The two academics running the centrealso claim that a lot of crime has "migrated" from street corners to the internet and the police cannot keep up.

In addition, they argue that anti-social behaviour is on the increase, despite official figures showing a decline in crime.

Professors Simon Winlow and Steve Hall are the Centre's co-directors and say they are determined to shake-up contemporary research.

"Crime rates have dropped significantly since 2000, but most criminologists are unable to explain precisely what's going on," Professor Winlow said.

"On the surface of things, all the usual forces that might signal a rise in crime are clearly in place: significant reductions in living standards, mass youth unemployment and underemployment, a growing gap between rich and poor."

He said we should to start thinking about how crimes are changing and the underlying forces that are driving these changes.

Prof Hall said: "We should also acknowledge that many hidden crimes continue to effect individuals and communities.

"These crimes are very difficult for criminal justice agencies to keep track of as they tend not to be reported, but the problems they cause can be huge," he added.

Prof Winlow said social antagonisms were developing in areas that are the least equipped to deal with the financial crisis and cuts.

"We are now more competitive, egotistical and anxious than at any point in our recent history. Unless fundamental antagonisms are addressed, we should expect more outbursts of this sort as the 21st century unfolds," he added.

  • The new centre launches with a conference on Thursday (September 13) which will feature the world's leading realist criminologist, Professor Elliott Curriee from California University.