Brixton 40 years after it was rocked by riots: Gentrified borough of today with its hipster coffee shops and sky-high house prices is a world away from deprived area where black community's anger at being targeted by 'racist' police exploded into violence Brixton Riots in April 1981 were sparked amid growing concerns over unemployment and poor quality housing Tensions boiled over when police ramped-up their use of controversial stop-and-search powers in the area Crackdown viewed as racist among residents, who claimed laws were being used to target young black men Hundreds of police and rioters were hurt in the clashes, which also left dozens of buildings gutted by fire