The policeman at Broadwater farm was killed by machettes but not all the gang had machettes.
Notting Hill is not Broadwater Farm - although way back in the 1960s Notting Hill was very rough, now its full of luvvies and celeb types. Places like Ealing were never ransacked back in the 1980s.
No football matches were cancelled in the 1980s, due to civil disorder - it nearly happened in Scotland after the 1980 Scottish Cup Final.
You cant compare directly the 1980s to now. In the 1980s, racism was endemic in the Police. Now it remains a smaller problem. Terrorism and disengagement from some Islamic youth is a problem now, it wasn't then. In the 1980s, Thug organisation couldn't be done by mobile phone, now its relatively simple.
In the 1980s the Police had the resources to do what was necessary - now they do not, but that may change.
None of this was pretty in the 1980s and isnt any prettier now - or trivial.
Yes, it is good to see positive community reaction.