Riots and looting have wrecked large parts of the United Kingdom. The homes and possessions of some in already disadvantaged areas have gone up in smoke, and others may lose their livelihoods.

The past few days have left many across the UK shocked and distressed. Saddest is the plight of those who have lost loved ones.

Some are calling for tough penalties for rioters. But, for those of us who live or work in the worst-affected neighborhoods, however angry we may feel about what has happened on our streets, punishment for the past will not in itself rebuild our communities or make us safer.

Those who took part are responsible for the fear and damage they caused, and the harm to the reputations of our localities. There are questions to be asked of the police, government and wider society.

An economic system and government policies have left large numbers of young people feeling excluded. The latest crisis, making it even harder to get a job with reasonable pay and conditions, and harsh cuts in youth and community services, have made matters worse. So have the scrapping of the Education Maintenance Allowance, which encouraged young people in poorer households to stay on at school or go to college after the age of 16, and steep rises in student fees.

Indeed, it might seem like a message from the government to those from the most deprived communities who have studied hard and are academically capable that they are wasting their time: university is for the privileged. Meanwhile, money is squandered on war, and further young lives destroyed. By throwing cold water over the aspirations of those wanting to get ahead by legitimate means, the authorities may have unwittingly fed into the idea that, for many young people, crime is the best way to gain “respect.”

There are also unhelpful cultural forces at work, including the glamorization of macho and violent behavior, and fuelling of consumerism — as if people’s worth could be measured by the material goods they possess. Ironically, some of the media that are most hostile to the rioters and looters seem to buy into many of the same myths.

It is also worth asking whether our society pays enough attention to children. This includes supporting educational, health and social services in promoting the emotional and moral as well as academic development of those in most need, especially if their families cannot cope or are unwilling to try.

There is a challenge ahead if damaged areas are to be rebuilt, trust between police and communities increased and future riots avoided. As the Olympics approach, even top leaders who are not overly concerned with the welfare of those in poor neighborhoods have an incentive to improve matters.

Savi Hensman has lived in inner-city London for many years. She is an Ekklesia associate, a respected Christian commentator, and works in the care and equalities sector. This piece originally appeared at Ekklesia, and was used with permission.