London's Burning

[Timbuk2]

Further to my posts in the Pictures Thread about a night of rioting and looting in Tottenham, a second night has seen copycat rioting and looting spread across Wood Green, Walthamstow, Waltham Forest, Enfield and Islington, right across North London in other words, and south over the river to Brixton, near where I live.

LONDON RIOTS

Police have condemned a wave of "copycat criminal activity" across London in a second night of looting and disorder following riots in Tottenham.

More than 100 people have been arrested as officers were attacked, police vehicles damaged and shops looted and damaged in parts of London.

Disorder spread to Enfield, Walthamstow and Waltham Forest in north London and to Brixton in the south of the city.

Some 35 officers have been injured over the two nights of rioting.

Three officers were hurt when a vehicle hit them as they tried to make an arrest in Waltham Forest, east London.

Clashes broke out in Enfield, north London, on Sunday evening where shop windows were smashed and a police car damaged.

There have been reports of a gang of up to 200 youths looting shops and charging police in Coldharbour Lane and the High Street in Brixton, south London.

The Met said it had dealt with several incidents of "copycat criminal activity" across the city.

Journalist Paraic O'Brien told BBC 5 live he had witnessed widespread looting in Brixton.

He said: "They smashed a William Hill, they set bins on fire, etc...

"And now what we're seeing as the night progresses is that replicated, sort of flashpoints all along Brixton High Street.

"I've seen a Vodafone looted, I've seen a Foot Locker looted and set on fire, I've seen Marks & Spencers attacked.

"I've seen a striking number of mobile phone stockists that have been targeted.

"I'm standing outside Halfords on the other side of the road and they've just smashed through the doors of Halfords. They're taking bikes out the front entrance.

"I have to say, what really struck me was the small number of police officers that there actually seem to be on Brixton High Street responding to this."

Press Association photographer Lewis Whyld saw looters battle police at a Currys store in Brixton.

He said: "A couple of 100 youths were rioting and looting. Riot police went in to get them out and there was a big fight in the street.

"Youths were throwing rocks and bottles and there was a bin on fire. They used a fire extinguisher to push the police back so they could get back into Currys and continue taking things out."

Rhoda Dakar also saw the trouble in Brixton.

He said: "I saw smoke coming from one side of the railway bridge. The was a strong toxic smell in the air.

"Youths were looting and running with poles - at that point I chose to leave and go home.

"You could tell youths were just out there waiting for something to happen."

Met Police Commander Christine Jones said: "Officers are shocked at the outrageous level of violence directed against them. At least nine officers were injured overnight in addition to the 26 injured on Saturday night.

"We will not tolerate this disgraceful violence. The investigation continues to bring these criminals to justice."

London Fire Brigade said it had been called to a number of fires in Enfield, Brixton and Walthamstow, including a fire at a shop on Brixton Road, which is now under control.

The disorder follows rioting in Tottenham which broke out on Saturday night and continued into Sunday morning.

A peaceful protest over the fatal shooting by police on Thursday of 29-year-old Mark Duggan descended into violence later in the evening.

The unrest spread into nearby Wood Green and Tottenham Hale. Shops were attacked and looted, 26 police officers and three others were injured and buildings and vehicles were set alight.

Parts of Tottenham are still cordoned off, as officers and forensic specialists continue to examine the riot scene.

A total of 61 arrests have been made in connection with the first night of rioting. The majority were for burglary, and other offences including violent disorder, robbery, theft and handling stolen goods.

Sixteen people have been charged are for offences including burglary, violent disorder and possession of a pointed or bladed weapon following the Tottenham riots.

As well as Mr Duggan, a police officer was also shot in Thursday's incident, which happened in what was called a "pre-planned" event, under Operation Trident, which investigates gun crime in London's African and Caribbean communities.

Police had stopped a minicab which Mr Duggan had been travelling in.

Brixton Tube station is currently shut and a number of roads across London are shut due to the violence.

Like most people here, I'm shocked and dismayed at this.

Criminal gangs and groups of teenagers able to shut down swathes of this city and loot at will, unimpeded.

The police so under-resourced that they simply cannot adequately respond, despite calling in officers from Kent and other forces outside the met.

It's appalling.

Call me Dave really needs to rethink the cuts he is currently imposing on the force. It's a downright dangerous policy.