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[Sharon007]

UK riots: 16,000 officers policing London's streets


Some 16,000 police officers are being deployed on London's streets in a bid to prevent a fourth night of rioting, with support drafted from 30 forces.

Businesses in some areas closed early in a bid to avoid the kind of violence that spread through London on Monday.

David Cameron has recalled Parliament for Thursday in response to the "sickening scenes", which prompted unrest in other cities.

Tuesday evening saw disturbances in the West Midlands and Greater Manchester.

West Midlands Police were dealing with sporadic disorder in Wolverhampton, while youths had smashed shop windows and set cars alight in nearby West Bromwich.

Riot police were also surrounding Birmingham's Mailbox high-end shopping building. Five hundred officers are on duty in the city centre on Tuesday evening.

Greater Manchester Police were involved in a stand-off with 70 to 80 young people in Salford, where a building was set alight. A Miss Selfridge store was set on fire in Manchester city centre, where sporadic looting was reported in the main shopping area.

Salford MP Hazel Blears said local police had assured her that officers' shifts had been extended and that "every effort" was being made to get all available police on the streets.

She also told the BBC that the "wall-to-wall" coverage of the violence may have encouraged more lawlessness.


The BBC's Ben Sidwell describes scenes of rioting in West Bromwich

The Metropolitan force has released what it says will be the "first of many" CCTV images of rioting suspects, while 32 people have appeared in court charged with offences such as burglary and criminal damage during the previous riots.

Among them were a graphic designer, college students, a youth worker, a university graduate and a man signed up to join the army. Some gave non-London addresses. Eighteen were remanded in custody.

So far 563 people have been arrested and 105 charged in connection with violence in the capital.
Wounded officers

Some 111 Met officers have suffered injuries including serious head and eye wounds, cuts and fractured bones after being attacked by rioters wielding bottles, planks, bricks and even driving cars at them. Five police dogs have also been hurt.

However, Scotland Yard has drafted in special constables and community support officers to ensure five times the usual number of officers for a Tuesday will be on duty. Similar staffing levels will be maintained over three days.

Meanwhile, Scotland Yard said a 26-year-old man found shot in a car in Croydon, amid rioting in the south London town, had died in hospital.

Highbury Corner Magistrates Court has dealt with a large number of cases arising from the riots in north London.

Those who appeared this afternoon were all male and generally in their 20s, although there were some youths.

Charges were most commonly burglary and criminal damage. There were a large number of guilty pleas entered.

The magistrates said that their powers of punishment were insufficient in the light of the fact that the offences were committed during a riot, which amounted to a "substantial aggravating feature".

A significant number of those charged were said in court to be of previously good character and had simply been drawn in to the offending.

In one defendant's case, a lawyer described his client as offending in "a moment of madness".

Mr Cameron met officers in the Met Police's Gold command in Lambeth on Tuesday afternoon, before speaking to emergency service personnel in Croydon.

He condemned the "sickening scenes of people looting, vandalising, thieving, robbing".

He told rioters: "You will feel the full force of the law. And if you are old enough to commit these crimes, you are old enough to face the punishment."

The recall of Parliament will allow MPs to "stand together in condemnation of these crimes and to stand together in determination to rebuild these communities", he said.

The prime minister returned early from his holiday in Tuscany to discuss the unrest, which first flared on Saturday after a peaceful protest in Tottenham over the fatal shooting of Mark Duggan, 29, by police.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said on Tuesday that ballistic tests presented "no evidence" that a handgun found at the scene where Mr Duggan was killed had been fired at officers.

London has seen a wave of "copycat criminal activity" since the initial disturbance, the Met Police said.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Stephen Kavanagh said the use of plastic bullets - never before fired to deal with riots in England - would be "considered carefully" in the event of further disorder.
'No Army'

But he added: "That does not mean we are scared of using any tactic."

Acting Commissioner Tim Godwin had earlier ruled out calling in the Army.
Police officers check each others kit as they prepare for a possible fourth night of rioting across the capital The Met, which has called in support from 30 forces, said Monday's rioting was the worst in memory

Officers believe some rioters have used BlackBerry Messenger - a service allowing users to send free real-time messages - to organise violence.

Meanwhile, two 18-year-olds were arrested in Folkestone, Kent, and a 16-year-old was being questioned in Glasgow on suspicion of inciting violence through internet social networking sites.

Around London, stores in Peckham, Rotherhithe, Ealing and Hackney were reported to have closed early on Tuesday. Some small theatres in the capital also cancelled performances, although West End productions were scheduled to go ahead.

Developments related to Monday's disturbances included:

Violence and looting reported across London, including in Hackney, Croydon, Clapham Junction, Peckham, Lewisham, Stratford and Ealing
Three people being questioned on suspicion of attempted murder after a police officer was injured by a car in Wembley, north-west London, while trying to stop suspected looters
Buildings set alight in several areas, including Croydon where part of the Tramlink service was suspended
In Birmingham, 138 people were arrested after scores of youths smashed windows and looted shops in the shopping area
West Midlands Police said a police station in Holyhead Road in Handsworth, Birmingham, was set alight
Up to 200 youths with masks roamed through Toxteth in Liverpool, while Bristol police said they dealt with outbreaks of disorder involving about 150 people
A Nottinghamshire police station was attacked in the St Ann's area and 200 tyres were set alight in the street
Police dealt with "small pockets of disorder" in the Chapeltown area of Leeds

The Association of British Insurers says the damage is likely to cost insurers "tens of millions of pounds".

Monday's violence started in Hackney, north London, at about 16:20 BST after a man was stopped and searched by police, who found nothing.

Groups of people began attacking officers, wrecking cars with wooden poles and metal bars, and looting shops. Violence then flared separately in other parts of the capital.

Mayor of London Boris Johnson, who also cut short a holiday to return, was heckled by the members of the public while viewing damage in Clapham Junction on Tuesday.

Some people have complained there have been too few police to deal with the violence.

Mr Johnson told those gathered that those responsible for the violence "face punishment they will bitterly, bitterly regret".

However, when challenged to do more for communities, Mr Johnson rejected "economic or social justifications" for the violence.

The Met said Monday's was "the worst" disorder in "current memory" after incidents across the capital.

It has led to sporting disruption, with Tuesday's Carling Cup matches at Charlton, West Ham, Crystal Palace and Bristol City postponed at the police's request.

England and Holland's friendly at Wembley on Wednesday has also been called off.

Source: BBC

[Sharon007]

Trouble Hotspots: The Worst Affected Areas

There are reports of trouble in both Manchester and the West Midlands this evening as violence across Britain continues.



As 16,000 police swarm London streets in preparation for a fourth night of chaos, seven people were arrested in Manchester and a further 20 in the West Midlands.

Manchester:

:: Seven arrested in the city centre where police say up to 70 youths had gathered.

:: Metrolink tram services have been suspended and police have advised people to stay away from the city centre.

:: A branch of Miss Selfridge in central Manchester has been set on fire.

Salford:

:: Sky's Mike McCarthy reports seeing smoke rising from Salford precinct and masked youths throwing stones.

West Bromwich:

:: Sky News has received footage of a burning car and a number of roads have been closed by West Midlands Police.

:: There are reports of other vehicles being set alight in the area.

Wolverhampton:

:: West Midlands police say 20 people have been arrested following disturbances.

:: There are reports of sporadic disorder in Wolverhampton but police say it is under control.

Birmingham:

:: Police say they have made three arrests and are "managing a large group of people causing disorder in several areas within the city centre."



:: These were the worst affected areas on Monday night.

Hackney:
:: Hundreds of riot police poured into the streets as thugs went on a rampage, setting cars alight, smashing shop-fronts and hurling rubbish bins and trolleys at officers.

:: Officers with dogs charged at rioters throwing bottles in Clarence Road, where a car had been set alight.

:: Sky helicopter footage showed an officer knocked to the ground by a missile.

:: Many shop-fronts were damaged including branches of Ladbrokes, Boots and JD Sports.


Ealing:
:: Police armoured vehicles deployed in Ealing in the early hours, Sky's Simon Newton witnessed, as police sought to quell unrest after looting in Ealing Broadway.

Jo-Ann Scott, from quiet residential street, woke to find two men in her bedroom who had smashed in her front door during the riots



Lewisham:
:: Petrol bombs were thrown at police officers as youths gathered in Lewisham town centre.

:: Shops have been damaged and looted.

:: All buses that were going to the area were cancelled.

Peckham:
:: Onlookers said they feared for their lives and described the scenes as a "war zone" as bandana-wearing youth wreaked havoc on the streets.

:: Fireworks were thrown at police as they tried to disperse the crowd.

:: A bus was on fire outside the fire station.

:: A witness told how they saw a thug hurl a brick at an officer, hitting him in the back.

Croydon:
:: Television footage showed a furniture store, a local landmark in business since 1867, completely engulfed in flames. "My life is destroyed," one of the owners told Sky News.

:: A 26-year-old man was shot in Warrington Road, Croydon junction with Dupass Hill. The man was inside a car when police found him.

He was taken to a south London hospital where he remains in a serious condition. Two other people, believed to be in their late twenties, were also at the scene. They were arrested for handling stolen goods and taken to a south London police station.

Detectives from Operation Trident are investigating.

Clapham:
:: Sky reporter Mark Stone was on the ground in Clapham Junction when he captured video on his mobile phone showing a gang of youths breaking in to shops on Lavender Hill.

Asking one looter why she was stealing, she told Stone: "I'm getting my taxes back."

Police deploy armoured vehicles to quell unrest.

Enfield:
:: A massive fire engulfs a Sony warehouse in Enfield in a blaze that raged before and after midnight.

Birmingham
:: Police in Birmingham arrested around 100 people after rioters and looters rampaged across the city centre.

The city's main retail area, the Bullring, closed its doors early in anticipation as hundreds of youths gathered nearby.

Shoppers and city workers looked on as windows and doors at scores of shops, including sportswear and mobile phone stores, were smashed by gangs.

Jewellery and computer stores on the city's High Street were attacked by youths with hats, scarves and hoods covering their faces, while shops in New Street, Corporation Street and Temple Row were also hit.

A total of 34 patients were treated by ambulance crews and 11 people were taken to hospital.

Members of the England cricket team, whose Test match against India is due to start at the city's Edgbaston ground on Wednesday, tweeted about the outbreak of violence.

Bowler Tim Bresnan said on his Twitter account: "Just seen the rioters in Birmingham fleeing down the main street followed by a load of police in the full get up. What's going on?"

Liverpool
:: Youths were still rampaging in parts of Liverpool as daylight broke, with police dealing with isolated outbreaks of violence from the city centre through Toxteth, Dingle and Wavertree.

Members of the public were told to avoid the Smithdown Road, Upper Parliament Street, Lodge Lane and Lawrence Road.

A crowd of around 300 people, many of whom were youths with their heads and faces covered, were seen in the north of the city stopping cars, pulling people out and setting fire to the vehicles.

And a mob of more than 100 people wearing hoods and masks marauded down Princes Road, in Toxteth, setting cars on fire and setting off fireworks.

A stand-off developed between police and around rioters on Admiral Street, close to a police station, with youths throwing objects including a golf club, bottles, cans and sticks.

Bristol
:: More than 150 young rioters caused disruption in areas of St Paul's and Stokes Croft, the scene of rioting earlier this year amid anger over a new Tesco store.

Avon and Somerset police, who made four arrests, urged people to avoid the city centre after a number of shops and vehicles were damaged.

Source: SKY News

[Sharon007]

[magic]

I can't believe it's happening in London It's like middle aged. Some of the pics are terrible. Thanx God my brother is home with us now or else my mom wouldn't be able to sleep at all

But I am worried about my friend from Cullenates forum. She is living in London in private house. She said the riots are coming closer to her now. They lock all their doors and they stay at home.

[Sharon007]

magic, on 09 August 2011 - 11:30 PM, said:

I can't believe it's happening in London It's like middle aged. Some of the pics are terrible. Thanx God my brother is home with us now or else my mom wouldn't be able to sleep at all

But I am worried about my friend from Cullenates forum. She is living in London in private house. She said the riots are coming closer to her now. They lock all their doors and they stay at home.

They say London has calmed down since they put in more police and asked parents to put a curfew on their kids. Most shocking of all it was kids about 10 years or more that were looting. About 800 were arrested and some were in court today. A 14 year old girl was in court for stealing a games console and a camera.

Its seemed to spread to other parts of the UK now. In Birmingham which is the 2nd largest city in the UK 3 guys in there 20s were killed. They werent involved in the riots but they were trying to stop the violence when a car hit them. The dad of one of the guys was on TV asking for calm.

[Sharon007]

Riot 'Fightback': All Police Leave Cancelled

All police leave has been cancelled as the Prime Minister pledged to give officers whatever they need to combat rioting and looting.

http://news.sky.com/...rticle/16047027

The Home Secretary has ordered force chiefs to halt "all police leave" to deal with the disorder in England, which has now gone on for four straight nights.

Theresa May has said "maximising the police presence on the street must be a priority" in affected areas during a meeting with chief constables.

David Cameron declared a "fightback" was under way against the perpetrators of the violence and said water cannon were being made available at 24 hours' notice.

Speaking after he chaired the Government's second emergency Cobra meeting, Mr Cameron added: "It is clear there are things that are badly wrong in our society.

Sky's Martin Brunt says the option of water cannon will not be popular with all police officers.

"I think there are some chief constables who will say it is not a brilliant idea because they are very blunt weapons and they can only really be used in a big space," he said.

"Last night we saw cops chasing rioters down very narrow streets, the sort of places you cannot use water cannon..it is an intriguing prospect but it won't be welcome by all police chiefs."



Earlier Ms May said police have said they do not currently need the water cannon, but that it was "entirely right" to have contingency planning in place.

"It is entirely right that the Government doesn't rule anything out, that we have contingency planning there for whatever might be needed," Mrs May said.

Hundreds of people have been arrested over disorder in several parts of England since the unrest first erupted in Tottenham, north London on Saturday night.

A total of 805 people have been detained, and 251 charged, in the capital over the unrest.

There were at least 113 arrests by Greater Manchester Police, and at least 109 in the West Midlands.

Twenty-five people have been charged so far in connection with trouble in South Liverpool and the Wirral this week.

"We needed a fightback, and a fightback is under way," he said outside Downing Street.

"We have seen the worst of Britain, but I also believe we have seen some of the best of Britain - the million people who have signed up on Facebook to support the police, coming together in the clean-up operations."

He branded the situation "sick", adding: "When we see children as young as 12 and 13 looting and laughing, when we see the disgusting sight of a young man with people pretending to help him while they are robbing him, it is clear that there are things badly wrong with our society."

The Labour leader called for insurance payments to be fast tracked.

In a visit to Manchester to see the damage from Tuesday night's violence, Ed Miliband said: "We need to make sure the local council have the resources to help compensate businesses and families who have lost out."

Earlier Boris Johnson directly criticised Government policy by calling for plans to reduce police numbers to be reconsidered in the wake of the disturbances in UK towns and cities.

In response the PM said: "Mayors and local authorities always want more money. It is the Government's job to give them what they need."

He added that senior officers had reassured him that they had the resources they needed.

Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, the Conservative Mayor of London had said: "This is not a time to think about making substantial cuts in police numbers."

He added that it would be a "good thing" if Ministers "had another look" at the issue.

But in a later interview with Sky News, Mr Johnson would not repeat the criticism and said: "All I want to make sure if we keep the numbers [of police] up across London.

"I want a sense of safety and calm to be restored."

He also said people could use "reasonable force" to protect their property but warned against "reckless vigilantism".

"I’m all in favour of people who in a friendly way are looking after their neighbours…you might start to wonder when it’s being done by groups who are hostile to other groups, we don’t want to see any of that," he told Sky News.

"I don’t want to see people who are hostile to other people, that’s clearly not what London is about…

"The common law says, you’d have to check…you may use reasonable restraint or reasonable force, that’s seems to be ok…[it] is justified."

Riot 'Fightback': All Police Leave Cancelled

329 Comments

7:14pm UK, Wednesday August 10, 2011
All police leave has been cancelled as the Prime Minister pledged to give officers whatever they need to combat rioting and looting.

The Home Secretary has ordered force chiefs to halt "all police leave" to deal with the disorder in England, which has now gone on for four straight nights.

Theresa May has said "maximising the police presence on the street must be a priority" in affected areas during a meeting with chief constables.

David Cameron declared a "fightback" was under way against the perpetrators of the violence and said water cannon were being made available at 24 hours' notice.

Speaking after he chaired the Government's second emergency Cobra meeting, Mr Cameron added: "It is clear there are things that are badly wrong in our society."

Sky's Martin Brunt says the option of water cannon will not be popular with all police officers.

"I think there are some chief constables who will say it is not a brilliant idea because they are very blunt weapons and they can only really be used in a big space," he said.

"Last night we saw cops chasing rioters down very narrow streets, the sort of places you cannot use water cannon..it is an intriguing prospect but it won't be welcome by all police chiefs."

Clean-up operation in Ealing

The clean-up is under way in towns and cities in England

Earlier Ms May said police have said they do not currently need the water cannon, but that it was "entirely right" to have contingency planning in place.

"It is entirely right that the Government doesn't rule anything out, that we have contingency planning there for whatever might be needed," Mrs May said.

England riots

Hundreds of people have been arrested over disorder in several parts of England since the unrest first erupted in Tottenham, north London on Saturday night.

A total of 805 people have been detained, and 251 charged, in the capital over the unrest.

There were at least 113 arrests by Greater Manchester Police, and at least 109 in the West Midlands.

Twenty-five people have been charged so far in connection with trouble in South Liverpool and the Wirral this week.

"We needed a fightback, and a fightback is under way," he said outside Downing Street.

"We have seen the worst of Britain, but I also believe we have seen some of the best of Britain - the million people who have signed up on Facebook to support the police, coming together in the clean-up operations."

He branded the situation "sick", adding: "When we see children as young as 12 and 13 looting and laughing, when we see the disgusting sight of a young man with people pretending to help him while they are robbing him, it is clear that there are things badly wrong with our society."

BORIS JOHNSON: 'VITAL WE MAINTAIN LAW AND ORDER'

The Labour leader called for insurance payments to be fast tracked.

In a visit to Manchester to see the damage from Tuesday night's violence, Ed Miliband said: "We need to make sure the local council have the resources to help compensate businesses and families who have lost out."

Earlier Boris Johnson directly criticised Government policy by calling for plans to reduce police numbers to be reconsidered in the wake of the disturbances in UK towns and cities.

In response the PM said: "Mayors and local authorities always want more money. It is the Government's job to give them what they need."

He added that senior officers had reassured him that they had the resources they needed.

Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, the Conservative Mayor of London had said: "This is not a time to think about making substantial cuts in police numbers."

He added that it would be a "good thing" if Ministers "had another look" at the issue.

But in a later interview with Sky News, Mr Johnson would not repeat the criticism and said: "All I want to make sure if we keep the numbers [of police] up across London.

"I want a sense of safety and calm to be restored."

He also said people could use "reasonable force" to protect their property but warned against "reckless vigilantism".

"I’m all in favour of people who in a friendly way are looking after their neighbours…you might start to wonder when it’s being done by groups who are hostile to other groups, we don’t want to see any of that," he told Sky News.

"I don’t want to see people who are hostile to other people, that’s clearly not what London is about…

"The common law says, you’d have to check…you may use reasonable restraint or reasonable force, that’s seems to be ok…[it] is justified."

KEN LIVINGSTON: 'NO CUTS IN POLICE NUMBERS'

The Mayor's comments come after an unprecedented wave of disorder swept beyond London to regional areas.

Consecutive nights of unrest in London were calmed on the night that 16,000 police were drafted on to the city's streets.

The Prime Minister cut short his summer holiday and returned to Britain on Tuesday to chair the first Cobra meeting on the crisis.

Parliament will be recalled for a day on Thursday to discuss the disturbances.

Mr Cameron said the scenes of violence were "sickening" and pledged to "do everything necessary to restore order to Britain's streets and make them safe for the law abiding".

A poll by YouGov has found that 57% feel David Cameron is dealing with the situation badly, while 85% believe either a majority or most of those taking part in the riots will go unpunished.

Mr Miliband said victims of rioting "cannot be left to cope alone", calling on the Government to work with the insurance industry to help those businesses and individuals affected by the trouble.

"As we see in natural disasters like floods, we need focused support so that these victims of the violence get the support they need," the Labour leader said.

"That means the Government working with the insurance industry to put in place fast track procedures with immediate effect so that individuals and businesses making claims do not have to wait for the money they need to start putting things right."

Scotland Yard ruled out involving the Army for now but said police were "not scared" of using plastic bullets to bring the unprecedented riots under control.

The violence first erupted in Tottenham, north London, on Saturday night following a peaceful protest after Mark Duggan, 29, was fatally shot by police.



The Independent Police Complaints Commission confirmed that there was no evidence that Mr Duggan fired at officers before he was shot in the chest.

Mr Duggan's family said they were "deeply distressed" by the disorder across the country which has followed his death.

Mr Clegg had earlier said the trouble on Sunday night had nothing to do with the death of Mr Duggan, who was killed on August 4.

Source: Sky News

[magic]

So is it over or still happening?

[HanabiChick]

It's a bit scary all this, especially as we had family living in two of the cities where this was happening. My mother, not knowing all the stuff I had read online about it, was not concerned, and I had to remind her to ring around to find out about how some people were. My cousin who's in London was in another part of England, so she's alright, and thankfully my cousins in Manchester are on facebook so I knew they were alright.

[Sharon007]

PM: Rioters Face Eviction From Council Homes

David Cameron has warned council tenants they could be evicted if they are found to be involved in rioting in English towns and cities.

The Prime Minister said the trouble after four nights of extensive violence had been "criminality pure and simple" and pledged to do "whatever it takes" to restore order.

He also told MPs:

:: Police will be given new powers to demand suspected criminals remove face masks.

:: Reinforced police numbers will remain on the streets of London this weekend.

:: Anyone convicted of rioting should go to jail.

:: The Government are looking at whether it is possible to stop people plotting disorder through social media websites.

:: A £10m recovery scheme to help local councils deal the damage caused by rioting in English towns and cities has been launched.

Mr Cameron revealed that more than 1,200 people have been arrested across the country.

MILIBAND URGES SWIFT JUSTICE FOR RIOTERS

He admitted at the start of the trouble there had been "far too few" police officers deployed and tactics they used had not worked.

The Prime Minister also announced new measures to tackle gang culture, including extending the system of gang injunctions across the country.

The Labour leader Ed Miliband said the riots had "disgusted us all" and added that it "cannot be allowed to stand".

He urged the Government to reconsider its planned cuts to police budgets.

"Given the absolute priority the public attaches to a visible and active police presence, does the Prime Minister understand why they would think it is not right that he goes ahead with the cuts to police numbers?" he asked.



Mr Cameron insisted the cuts were "totally achievable" without any reduction in the visible policing presence on the streets.

"At the end of this process of making sure our police budgets are affordable, we will still be able to surge as many police on to the streets as we have in recent days in London, in Wolverhampton, in Manchester," he said.

"I think it's important people understand that."

Several councils - including Manchester, Wandsworth and Salford - have said they will take action to evict tenants if they are found to be involved in rioting.

Ravi Govindia, the leader of Wandsworth Council, said: "People who live in council homes should be under no illusions about the fate that awaits them if they are found to have been involved in Monday night's destruction and thuggery."

The Home Affairs Select Committee has announced it will hold an inquiry into the riots in September.

The response to the disorder has rapidly become political with senior Labour figures calling for a moratorium on police budget cuts.

Mr Cameron said of the police budgets that "at the end of this process of making sure our police budgets are affordable we will still be able to surge as many police officers on to the streets as we have in recent days".

On Wednesday Labour's deputy leader, Harriet Harman, met Home Office minister James Brokenshire to press the issue, flanked by a handful of MPs from the capital.

"Labour has been strongly opposed to cuts in police numbers in London," she said in a statement.

"We had hoped that in light of the riots they would reconsider their cuts and we are bitterly disappointed that in spite of the evidence of the importance of police numbers in the last week they are refusing to reconsider these cuts.

"This will not be acceptable to communities across London, nor will it be acceptable to businesses across London who know that cuts in police numbers are a false economy."

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg told Sky News the "savings in the police service are entirely manageable".



He added that it was "ridiculous to connect people breaking the law, looting and stealing with having to save money as a country on policing".

Home Secretary Theresa May had earlier acknowledged police forces would not be immune from cuts but the measures were a necessary part of reducing the deficit.

The PM faced calls, including from London mayor Boris Johnson, to halt the coalition's cuts to police budgets.

Meanwhile, The Guardian quoted an anonymous minister saying: "It is manifestly the case that we need police numbers and effective deployment of officers that generates public confidence.

Shops and flats in south London were badly damaged by the riots

Mr Cameron insisted the cuts were "totally achievable" without any reduction in the visible policing presence on the streets.

"At the end of this process of making sure our police budgets are affordable, we will still be able to surge as many police on to the streets as we have in recent days in London, in Wolverhampton, in Manchester," he said.

"I think it's important people understand that."

Several councils - including Manchester, Wandsworth and Salford - have said they will take action to evict tenants if they are found to be involved in rioting.

Ravi Govindia, the leader of Wandsworth Council, said: "People who live in council homes should be under no illusions about the fate that awaits them if they are found to have been involved in Monday night's destruction and thuggery."

The Home Affairs Select Committee has announced it will hold an inquiry into the riots in September.

The response to the disorder has rapidly become political with senior Labour figures calling for a moratorium on police budget cuts.

Mr Cameron said of the police budgets that "at the end of this process of making sure our police budgets are affordable we will still be able to surge as many police officers on to the streets as we have in recent days".

CAMERON: 'TIME TO GET TOUGH ON STREET GANGS'

On Wednesday Labour's deputy leader, Harriet Harman, met Home Office minister James Brokenshire to press the issue, flanked by a handful of MPs from the capital.

"Labour has been strongly opposed to cuts in police numbers in London," she said in a statement.

"We had hoped that in light of the riots they would reconsider their cuts and we are bitterly disappointed that in spite of the evidence of the importance of police numbers in the last week they are refusing to reconsider these cuts.

"This will not be acceptable to communities across London, nor will it be acceptable to businesses across London who know that cuts in police numbers are a false economy."

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg told Sky News the "savings in the police service are entirely manageable".

He added that it was "ridiculous to connect people breaking the law, looting and stealing with having to save money as a country on policing".

Home Secretary Theresa May had earlier acknowledged police forces would not be immune from cuts but the measures were a necessary part of reducing the deficit.

The PM faced calls, including from London mayor Boris Johnson, to halt the coalition's cuts to police budgets.

Meanwhile, The Guardian quoted an anonymous minister saying: "It is manifestly the case that we need police numbers and effective deployment of officers that generates public confidence.

YVETTE COOPER: 'WE NEED ALL OUR POLICE'

"There are inevitably pressures on spending. But you need to run the numbers through the system to make sure you do not leave an exposed flank."

Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper reacted angrily to the report, saying: "For 10 months we have told the Prime Minister and the Home Secretary their 20% front-loaded cuts to the police were unsustainable and were taking huge risks with law and order.

"They have repeatedly refused to reconsider the cuts and have refused to listen to warnings from the police and communities up and down the country.

"It is staggering and utterly shameful if it has taken these appalling events for ministers to start waking up to what everyone else has known all along: more police on the streets makes them safer, and not only at times like this."

Source: Sky News