Tottenham Explodes In Rage
More than 100 people have been arrested in connection with looting across east and south London, following a major riot in Tottenham at the weekend.
Disturbances erupted in several boroughs, with reports of trouble in Enfield, Brixton, Walthamstow and Islington.
Riot police and dog handlers were called to Enfield on Sunday evening after a group of youths caused damage to shops.
Disorder then spread to Brixton in the early hours of this morning, where a number of shops were also attacked and looted.
The London Fire Brigade sent six units to fight a fire at a Foot Locker store.
Other shops attacked by mobs, described by police as "small and mobile groups", included Currys, Halfords and The Body Shop.
Numerous people were seen carrying away looted goods, including boxed television sets.
On Monday morning, one taxi firm told Sky News it was not taking any bookings from Brixton until further notice.
Other reports said buses travelling on Brixton High Street were not stopping.
One Brixton resident told Sky News: "We are watching hundreds of people walking up the street (Effra Road) with boxes of stuff, there is shouting and police helicopters but no sign of police."
A mobile phone shop and sports store in nearby Streatham were also reportedly looted, with specialist firearms officers used to make some arrests.
Sporadic and widespread disturbances also hit north and east London.
Areas attacked included Turnpike Lane, Walthamstow, Chingford and Leyton, where shops were vandalised and broken into.
Three police officers were taken to hospital after being hit by a fast-moving vehicle at 12.45am, a Metropolitan Police spokesman said.
The officers had been in the process of making arrests in Chingford Mount, Waltham Forest, after a shop was looted by youths.
Police described the spreading disorder as "copycat criminal activity".
Commander Christine Jones said: "This is a challenging situation with small pockets of violence, looting and disorder breaking out on a number of boroughs.
"We will not tolerate this disgraceful violence. The investigation continues to bring these criminals to justice."
She added: "I, along with the vast majority of Londoners, condemn this mindless criminality.
"It serves no purpose and only results in the destruction people's livelihoods and communities."
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg is expected to hold talks with senior police officers and government ministers to discuss the violence.
Home Secretary Theresa May said: "Those responsible for the violence and looting will be made to face the consequences of their actions.
"Many have been arrested and further arrests will be made.
"Londoners have made clear that there are no excuses for violence, and I call on all members of local communities to work constructively with the police to help them bring these criminals to justice."
The widespread unrest in the capital comes after mass rioting in Tottenham on Saturday night and Sunday morning, which saw dozens of people arrested and more than 25 police officers injured.
The clean up is continuing in north London where local business owners estimated the cost of the damage ran into millions of pounds.
The rioting occurred after a peaceful protest was held in response to the fatal shooting of Mark Duggan.
The 29-year-old father-of-four died on Thursday after he was shot by police.
An Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) investigation into the incident is under way.
Source : Sky News