Nearly 150 people took part in a special partnership event at Stoke Newington Town Hall in Hackney earlier this month in response to the public disorder that spread across the country this summer.

The gathering on Monday 14 November brought together representatives from the Council, police, local faith and community groups and other invited guests, including local MPs Diane Abbott and Meg Hillier, to learn about the initial findings from research undertaken to help identify possible causes behind the August disturbances in the borough.

The day also provided an opportunity for group discussions, looking at the key perceptions of underlying issues emerging from the research together with an overview of the disturbances, to help determine and feedback on actions required.

The event was opened by Jules Pipe, Mayor of Hackney, who welcomed and thanked all those present for their attendance.

Presentations followed from Tim Shields, Chief Executive of Hackney Council; Chief Supt. Steve Bending, Borough Commander for Hackney; Mike Franklin, IPCC commissioner; and Baroness Maeve Sherlock, Riots Communities and Victims Panel. These gave an overview of events that took place locally, using data analysis and feedback from business and community events, along with a national picture of the disturbances.

There was also a presentation by Paul Harvey, Associate Director, Social Research Institute Ipsos MORI, reporting back on more detailed insight which had been gathered from the local community.

A presentation from Reuben Tapper, representative from Immediate Theatre, whose organisation had adopted a innovate approach to feed into the research, received a warm round of applause from the audience. So too did feedback presented by one of the young people who attended the event.

A working group drawn from the Council and key partners is now reviewing feedback from the event to decide how identified actions will be taken forward and built into a local partnership approach as part of a continued commitment to keeping the borough safe, and protecting and supporting the people who live and work in Hackney.

This joint work will also be included in a report by the Independent Riots Communities and Victims Panel, which has been set up to examine and understand why the August disturbances took place.

Panel members have been touring the country talking to people who were affected in their communities, including young people, local business owners, parents and residents. As part of this process, they visited Hackney on Wednesday 16 November to meet with Council representatives and to speak to businesses and residents affected by the violent disorder.

Darra Singh, Chair of the Riots Communities and Victims Panel, said: "Our visit to Hackney helped us to consider why a small minority of residents rioted, and helped us to think about what lessons can be learnt for the future.

"We will publish our interim report today, which includes findings from our Hackney visit. I encourage anyone in Hackney who was affected by the riots to read the report and tell us what you think. This is your opportunity to provide views for the final report on the riots that we ll present to the Prime Minister next March."

The Panel will deliver early findings on Monday 28 November, with a final report due in March 2012.

To read the Independent Riots Communities and Victims Panel s interim report, and learn about the ways to provide your views go to: http://riotspanel.independent.gov.uk