In the summer of 1981, Liverpool stood on the brink of unrest. For the city’s Black community in Toxteth, years of economic decline, racial discrimination, and aggressive policing had created a climate of simmering frustration. The arrest of local photographer Leroy Cooper became the spark that ignited one of the most significant uprisings in modern British history.
Reflecting on that day, Cooper recalled:
“The day I was arrested brought things to a critical mass of discontent, like toxic fumes you cannot see or taste, but any sudden spark can cause an explosion. I was there; the incident should have been about giving the rider ‘a producer,’ which was a notice to take your documents relating to the bike to a police station. The police assumed the motorbike was stolen, and when the rider stopped to speak to them, they overreacted and started dragging the rider off the bike. I remonstrated with them, and my big mouth got me in trouble. ‘Is this how you handle a traffic stop in Childwall or Woolton?’ I said, ‘Have you done any checks to see if the bike was actually reported stolen?’ A scuffle followed, and I think I was targeted because I was the one with ‘the big mouth’ challenging them.”
Photo © Leroy Cooper / BCA. All rights reserved.
The Toxteth Uprisings of 1981 were black and white young people venting their anger at the abuse they had suffered for countless years. It was an anti-police reaction, not a race riot, as some tried to twist it. The people were not fighting each other; black and white youths joined forces to battle them. In years past, there had been incidents between black and white teenagers, but this was a turning point for Liverpool youths who, for the first time, recognised who was who and what was really what. It was against this backdrop that I discovered photography and the power of the visual image.
Photo © Leroy Cooper / BCA. All rights reserved.
"It was a different time, and you have to understand that things are better now compared to those days. In 1981, police policies and tactics were very hostile, to say the least. Young people, both black and white, were afraid of being stopped by the police."
Photo © Leroy Cooper / BCA. All rights reserved.
“The idea that the police are a public service that our community can trust is ridiculous. Do you understand the fear that goes hand-in-hand with that? You are not supposed to be “terrified” when you see a police vehicle or officers on foot patrol. I think if you were to speak with working-class Liverpool men who grew up in the late 60s and 70s, you would find a common thread in their narratives of an oppressive, menacing police force on the streets of Liverpool, whether it was in the North End or the South End.
There are hurdles that mainstream society has placed before us that are meant to trip us up, put us down, and keep us in “our place” – a place that has been decided for us.”
Photo © Leroy Cooper / BCA. All rights reserved.
“Over the years, I have been in bands and helped create the Cosmic Ambassador Sound System with a friend. We are big fans of reggae dancehall, which led us to do a pirate radio show on TCR (Toxteth Community Radio). These are just some of the areas where my creativity has taken me, but I’ve always been drawn to photography and documenting what I’ve done and seen around me. You must understand that, as a result of the 1981 incident, I am ‘blacklisted’ for employment opportunities in Liverpool. Therefore, I had to find a career that would be a vocation rather than just a job you do to pay your bills.”
Photo © Leroy Cooper / BCA. All rights reserved.
"Liverpool has one of Europe's oldest Black and Ethnic communities. My motivation is to document the history of our struggles, our survival, and the overcoming of trials and tribulations."
- Leroy Cooper.
Photo © Leroy Cooper / BCA. All rights reserved.
"My photography is a reminder that history isn't just composed of monumental events, fame-hungry celebrities, and the grubby goings on of corrupt, selfish politicians, but also of people like us - everyday, down-to-earth people."
- Leroy Cooper.
Leroy Cooper sadly passed away in May 2023, leaving behind a remarkable body of work that continues to resonate far beyond Liverpool. At the British Culture Archive, we were privileged to collaborate with Leroy during his lifetime, and his photography now holds a permanent place within our collections. His images stand as a vital record of community and identity, capturing a defining era in Britain’s social and cultural history. We remain committed to preserving and promoting his work, ensuring that his photography continues to be seen, studied, and celebrated for generations to come.
