How crowdsourcing is helping the London Riots clean-up

We’ve already seen two great examples this morning of how social media can be used as a force for good in the wake of the London riots (check here and here), but this one will perhaps re-affirm your faith in the UK public more than any other.

Volunteers, fuelled by the creation of the #riotcleanup Twitter hashtag set up by “artist, writer, photographer and explorer”Dan Thompson, are taking to the streets to help with the clean-up following the destructive events of the past three nights of looting and violence.

Thompson, despite being based in Sussex, has been using the network to organise clear-up teams in the areas hit hardest by the riots. He’s even been taking requests from small business owners who need help after attacks, and has been directing help their way.

Describing the response as “phenomenal”, Thompson stated that “teams of volunteers have been out since the early hours” and that his teams were “already getting responses back saying that areas are clear.”

Celebrities too have been using their position of influence to help in the efforts. Musician Kate Nash was among the first to offer her support for the #riotcleanup, while Sam Duckworth of Get Cape, Wear Cape, Fly and actor Simon Pegg have also spread the word.

Dedicated websites and Twitter accounts for the clean up, such as Riot Clean Up, @riotcleanup and the Post riot-clean up Facebook page, have now been created to help organise the movement.