We hoped tonight would be better for London. So far, it has been worse. Violence has broken out across the city, with shops being looted and businesses set on fire. Riot police are out in force.
- Croydon is in ‘complete lockdown’. West Croydon station has been shut, youths are attacking police lines. A ‘sterile zone’ has been set up between the Fox and Hounds pub and North End.
- Reports of explosions in Hackney, where tonight’s trouble started. Shops are burning. Gangs of youths (spot a pattern here?) taunting and attacking police. Reports of a journalist being beaten, his camera being stolen. Van on fire.
- “General air of panic” in Camberwell.
- Shops being looted in Peckham. Businesses on fire. Shops have been told to close, though most had worked that out long ago. Big fire. Reports of fire crews coming under attack.
- Hundreds of youths taunting police in Catford. So far, no sign of actual violence breaking out, but the scene is said to be tense.
- Gangs of youths are roaming Kilburn. About 20 arrests near Kilburn High Road.
The general consensus is that the situation across London tonight is worse that last night (Sunday) or akin to the scenes in Tottenham on Saturday. Worse still, the violence seems to be spreading from borough to borough with alarming speed. The police seem to be reacting as fast as possible, but it’s almost impossible for them to be truly effective given the general scenes of chaos. In some cases, witnesses say violence is carrying on with no police in sight. Resources are clearly stretched.
David Cameron still refuses to come back from holiday
Downing Street says David Cameron will not be cutting short his holiday in Tuscany. Completely missing the point, the prime minister’s office says he is in touch via email and phone. But he’s the prime minister and his absence pretty much sums up his attitude to this country. People are (rightly, in my opinion) suggesting that his failure to get back is going to hurt him politically. Frankly, I’m angry typing this: London burns for three nights and the prime minister refuses to cut short his holiday? That says a lot about him as a prime minister, and a lot about him as a person.
Seven Sisters also seeing trouble
It’s hard to keep up. Since starting to type this, there are reports of trouble in Seven Sisters. Cars being attacked, police said to be largely keeping away from the worst of the violence, where anger towards any sign of the police is said to be particularly strong. Reports of yet more buildings being attacked, and concern among residents that the violence is going to get worse. At least one resident has told local media that she’s concerned that there is no sign of police so far.
omg its terrible these riots
Posted by macey | August 8, 2011, 8:13 pmWhat colour are these young people?
Posted by Ada | August 8, 2011, 8:27 pmWhat the news and you’ll see. Or, if you’re blind ask someone, if your deaf, then use your eyes. IDIOT!
Posted by Size | August 9, 2011, 6:48 amdoes colour matter
Posted by mia | August 9, 2011, 10:16 amBLACKS AND TURKS CAUSING ALL THIS, DEPORT THE BASTARDS
Posted by Harry | August 8, 2011, 8:39 pmopen your eyes idiot colour has nothing to do with it being an selfish uneducated slob plays the influence in this one. Plenty of whites in there i think everyone should be ashamed with tainting this countrys good reputation say good bye to the olympics now.
Posted by adam | August 8, 2011, 8:59 pmabsolutely right Adam! this is ridiculous….first news story in over here in the US…. making headlines for behaving like barbarians all of them, all colors.
Posted by lynn | August 9, 2011, 3:10 amall the black and pakee bastards should be put out of the uk they are all scum there go around like there all this and that but if they just left it 1 on 1 to fight they wouldnt be hard men then they think there hard men because they have gangs they are noting but scumy bastards who agrees with me
Posted by traveller boy | August 8, 2011, 10:51 pmYour just an ignorant cunt!!!!
Posted by Jason | August 9, 2011, 12:14 amIf they’re born here, where do you expect them to be deported back to? Be constructive will you. It’s not just the Turks and blacks, it’s whites and asians. It’s not about race and colour, it’s about society failing its youth.
Posted by Size | August 9, 2011, 6:42 amWho are you kidding? Turks are on the opposite side of these looters
Posted by meral | August 9, 2011, 2:47 pmThe riots are taking place and the police are absent. I tried calling the police for 3 hours before anyone showed up. At the end of the day i live above a shop and have a young child and felt in jepardy. The people are disgraceful BUT so are the police!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by Cleo | August 8, 2011, 8:40 pmThe thing is the news isn’t covering Newham because of the Olympics
Posted by Paige | August 8, 2011, 9:33 pmDavid Cameron started much of this, with his attack on those who can least afford his cuts, which only add up to back pocket change in the greater scheme of uk monetary problems.
Mr Cameron has no idea of the problems he has caused because he had no idea of the problems that existed.
He should come back from holiday even if its just to “show willing” his return will actually not slow down or stop the riots, neither will it aid the emergency services who are trying to do just that.
The problem rests firmly on Davis Camerons doorstep along with all the other untouched mail you get whilst on holiday.
I live in Camberwell and have done for 20 years, tonight i am too scared to go for a pint of milk, even if there was a shop open to sell it to me, if a riot start here my home and car are right in the firing line. I hope David Cameron is in the firing line in three years time.
Posted by paul canton | August 8, 2011, 10:04 pmThe problem as i see it is idiots like the alleged criminal MOD going on tv and refusing to condemn the violence. Any wonder since he allegedly had stolen more out of our system than a looter with an iphone in his hand. its about time people like him were rounded up and asked by members of the public what him and his ilk are going to do with all the money they had out of the system to repay for the damage
the police dropped the charges on MOD but it left many many reporters and public bewildered as to why
and I think in light of his dumb attitude on tv tonight further questions about him should be raised
Posted by zinga | August 8, 2011, 10:14 pmSorry to be uninformed who is MOD.
Posted by paul canton | August 9, 2011, 8:23 am