Opinion: Why blaming social networking for riots misses the point

Not a cause but a symptom: Blackberry. Image by Marcos Sader via Flickr

Over the last couple of weeks we’ve seen virtually every talking head the mainstream media can lay their hands on – me included, to be fair – talking about the causes of the riots. They’ve blamed everything from the public spending cuts which started with this government taking office to the availability of social networking.

This, we are told, is the prime cause of all of the rioting and looting which hit Britain’s major cities a fortnight ago. I firmly disagree with this idea: why (literally) blame the messenger? The medium used for the message is not a problem, it is the message itself.

Less well informed commentators have been frantically blaming Twitter and Blackberry Messenger (BBM) for spreading information to rioters so they could avoid the police and attack areas that hadn’t been hit. I say this is nonsense; WL’s liveblogs were based entirely on information from Twitter and the only people I saw on there encouraging the rioters were people like Jody Macintyre, notorious for deliberately taking his wheelchair into the middle of a student riot. For potentially committing the criminal offence of inciting a riot, Macintyre was sacked from both the Guardian and the Independent. Virtually no-one “on the ground” was publicly encouraging others to smash up businesses and steal designer goods.

In my opinion the main cause of the riots was the sudden realisation that there was a power vacuum. When the peaceful demonstration in Tottenham got out of hand and descended into violence, the rioters there realised that the police were doing little or nothing to stop them. And it spread like wildfire.

Prominent police blogger Inspector Gadget took a straw poll of his readers the other day and the results were interesting. The majority of them believed that, in the days since Ian Tomlinson’s death (caused by his being struck with a police baton at the G20 protests) police constables are very likely to be hung out to dry for enforcing the law robustly. Whilst reporting on the riots, I noticed a real change in the levels of violence from Tuesday afternoon onwards – by midnight on Wednesday it was all over. Why?

The rolling news footage told the story. Instead of seeing police officers standing still and letting the rioters throw things at them, we were watching them charge forward and take control of the streets again. Within hours the riots had petered out.

I really do believe it is as simple as that: lack of firm action to contain the usual level of anti-police violence in certain areas of London led to rioters pushing the boundaries to their absolute limit. What we must do now is resist the latest attempts by politicians to shut down social networking sites during instances of public disorder. Instead, we must get them to concentrate on effective law enforcement in the less stable areas of London.

Met Police deploying ‘record number’ of police to Notting Hill Carnival

Scotland Yard has said that it will deploy thousands more constables to the Notting Hill Carnival than it ordinarily would, following the riots across London two weeks ago.

A Carnival reveller in traditional flamboyant costume. Courtesy of S Pakhrin, Twitter

Senior Metropolitan Police officers have indicated that they are retaining constables from non-London forces who were deployed to the capital a fortnight ago. It appears that senior police officers fear a repeat of the widespread looting and destruction that occurred a fortnight ago.

About 16,000 police officers, including constables from forces as far afield as Wales, were deployed in the capital after riots which started in Tottenham spread across north, east and south London.

Whilst the final decision on police numbers will be made closer to the day, according to a Scotland Yard spokesman, it is highly likely that such a high profile public event will attract an increased police presence immediately following widespread rioting. The decision is likely to be taken on Thursday after senior police officers meet with local councillors from Kensington and Chelsea.

The Notting Hill Carnival has been running for 47 years. Originally started by West Indian immigrants to the Notting Hill area as a celebration of their home culture, the event has expanded to include all Caribbean cultures and attracts millions of visitors every year. This year’s carnival, which takes place between Sunday 28th August and Monday 29th August (which is a bank holiday) is scheduled to finish at 7pm each day. This is earlier than normal due to police fears of potential troublemakers using the carnival as cover to cause trouble.

Mainstream media reports over the last few years have primarily associated the carnival with anti-social behaviour. Similar reports have quoted local residents demanding the carnival be moved to Hyde Park or a similar large public space, which in their view would be better suited to handling the huge numbers of people who attend the event. Other articles promote the carnival’s positive cultural aspects, including the traditional Caribbean steel drum bands and the large variety of Caribbean food on offer.

16-yr-old boy charged with Ealing riots murder

Following his arrest and that of a 35-yr-old woman arrested on suspicion of perverting the course of justice, the 16-yr-old boy arrested for Richard Bowes’ death during the Ealing riots has been charged with his murder.

The boy is also charged with violent disorder and four counts of burglary. He will appear at Croydon Youth Court tomorrow.

A 35-yr-old woman (not 31, as previously reported) is charged with perverting the course of justice in connection with the case. She will appear at Croydon Magistrates’ Court tomorrow.

Police were previously seeking a witness to the assault on Mr Bowes, who has now come forward. It is likely that the murder trial will be held behind closed doors, due to automatic reporting restrictions on cases involving U18s, unless the trial judge decides otherwise.

Meanwhile another Ealing man has died after being assaulted on Thursday 11th August.

Fresh arrests following murder of Richard Bowes

Police have arrested a 16-year-old boy on suspicion of murder and four counts of burglary and a 35-year-old woman on suspicion of perverting the course of justice. They remain in custody in a south London police station.

Richard Bowes was a resident of Ealing who tried to put out a fire started by arsonists in Springbridge Road on Monday 8th August. After the arsonists attacked him, police drove them away and took Mr Bowes to St Mary’s Hospital, where he later died. The cause of death was given as a head injury.

Meanwhile, a 22-year-old man who was arrested in Hanwell on suspicion of murder, rioting and three counts of burglary has been released on bail.

Anyone who can assist with eyewitness accounts of the attack on Mr Bowes or mobile phone footage should call Sutton Police on 020 8721 4205 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

London and UK Riots Live

Feel like buying us a pint or two? All of us are doing this unpaid – it would be nice to have a meal and a drink.

Additional reporting: Gaz Corfield (current liveblog), Ricky Compton (liveblog prior to 17:30 and now Twitter @thewestlondoner), Xenia Coudrille (Facebook page), Lee Fleming (research), Chris Green (research), Sean Cameron (ground reporting & research) and Moa Aarenstrup (late night research).

Live updates below.

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0325: We’re knocking off – third day of doing this and it’s taking it’s toll. Nothing new coming in London now. Will do a roundup of the day’s events when we wake up tomorrow.

We’ll end the day with a few words from Deputy Assistant Commissioner Steve Kavanagh of the Metropolitan Police. Goodnight and stay safe.

“I would like to remark upon the considerable bravery and resilience shown by members of our community overnight. People intervening to make their disgust known about the activities of these mindless yobs. Our officers, and crew from Fire and Ambulance all demonstrated their bravery, as they were attacked whilst trying to protect our streets.”

0323: BBC apparently confirming the Dudley story. Last reports – unconfirmed – that two or possibly three people were hit by a car which appeared to have been driven at them deliberately. Sangat TV, non-English reporters on a Sky channel, are saying that two men died. We have no way of confirming that at this time though.

0318: Austen Close, Thamesmead.

0316: Nothing more on Silver Street in Enfield.

0314: VIDEO: People chasing alleged looters in Enfield earlier today. We’ll leave you to form your own opinions on the content of the video, if you wish.

0310: Earlier rumours of fire in Holloway unconfirmed – a car may have been set alight an hour ago but we can’t be sure. Checking reports of something in Silver Street now.

0302: Sangat TV on Sky are reporting two people dead in Dudley, Birmingham – this seems connected with the road traffic incident of earlier. Possibly a deliberate hit and run but that isn’t confirmed yet.

0300: We’re going to knock off at 0315 – London is quiet now and we’re exhausted. Any fresh updates to @thewestlondoner and @gazthejourno if you have them.

0256: Gloucester police horses just now:

0250: Silence all round. Waiting on rumours from Dudley. More reports of disturbances in Gloucester too now.

0243: Hounslow fire is most definitely out. Meanwhile the burnt out car in Lawrence Road, Liverpool, apparently belongs to a naval officer.

0240: Verifying reports from Dudley/Birmingham. Thamesmead has gone quiet – hopefully the arsonists there have given up.

0235: Police in Dudley have released a statement referring to three men being injured in a road accident and taken to hospital. Nothing about a death, but we’re looking into it – eyewitnesses claimed someone was killed.

0233: Fresh reports that the Thamesmead fires are cars, not houses.

0230: Updates slowing because we’re getting lots of unconfirmed rumours in, trying to verify. Reports of a possible death in Birmingham, working on that. Thamesmead has gone quiet – Hounslow fire is out – Liverpool reports just vehicle and business premises fires, no fires in residential areas.

0227: This just in from Thamesmead area;

0223: VIDEO: Small fire in Hounslow being dealt with not long ago. (external link)

0218: Smithdown, Liverpool, not long ago:

0217: Four fire engines attacked in Liverpool, apparently. Crews uninjured but the vehicles themselves are reportedly out of action, says our Liverpool correspondent. (who hasn’t knocked off thankfully!)

0211: Eight fire engines attending large blaze in Brunswick Road, Gloucester, reports Sky News. Still looking out for more info on Thamesmead arsonists and Enfield situation. Thames Valley Police in Reading reporting a fire in London Road, Reading.

0209: LBC radio apparently just reporting that British Transport Police have confirmed disturbances on Silver Street in Enfield. Developing…

0206: Reports now that arsonists in Thamesmead may be near a primary school. Obviously the school is empty and the reports are not confirmed, but we’re working on it.

0204: Unconfirmed reports that the arsonists in Thamesmead are mobile and moving towards the town centre there. Near Crossway Gym.

0201: Houses near Linton Mead (Thamesmead area) are apparently on fire. Confirming.

0156: Reports that Thamesmead is suffering from arsonists – stand by.

0155: More from Liverpool: 2 fire engines and police car hit by missiles in Lawrence Road (see 0128 update) but none of the officers were injured.

0152: Picture of (extinguished) fire in Park View Road, Tottenham:

0150: Our Liverpool man, Alex Mitchell, is clocking off – no more news from there for the moment.

0149: Reports coming in now that Manchester City Centre has been reopened. Still looking at Camden for any news on the burning pile of rubbish (yes, London has become that calm that a pile of rubbish is now our focus!)

0146: Unconfirmed report from Camden that someone has set fire to a pile of rubbish. Looking for confirmation.

0140: Calm in London now, unless you know otherwise. Tweet us – @gazthejourno and @thewestlondoner.

0133: Apparently the Ashley Road depot (which backs onto Park View Road) is home to Haringey Council’s asbestos team. Let’s hope they didn’t have any asbestos there…

0132: Police have arrested four people in Borough Road, Birkenhead, for conspiracy to commit criminal damage.

0129: Peter Beaumont on the ground near the Park View Road fire is reporting that the fire brigade have attended and extinguished the flames. Police are continuing to patrol. That was quick!

0128: Picture from Lawrence Road, Liverpool, about an hour ago.

0126: Recycling depot at Park View Road apparently handles general waste including cooking oil and used engine oil – possibly some of that which is fuelling the flames?

0124: Park View Road is the rubbish lorry depot – separate reports coming in of something to do with a “diesel depot” according to BBC. Confirming.

0121: Three explosions reported at Tottenham rubbish lorry depot.

0120: Birkenhead pub just now. Merseyside police say to avoid Park Road South in Birkenhead.

0117: Fire engines seen heading towards the Tottenham rubbish lorry depot. Finding official name/address of the depot now to avoid confusion.

0113: Car on fire in Bordesley Green, Birmingham, courtesy of Paul Lewis of the Guardian.

0110: Council rubbish lorries on fire in Tottenham – sparks reportedly 200 feet high there now.

0107: Peter Beaumont of The Observer (there’s a newspaper you don’t hear about often) is on the spot in Tottenham; there is a fire at the council recycling depot there. Explosion not long ago, may have been a fuel tank of some description.

0105: Fire in Tottenham, possibly riot-related. Checking now, seems to be in N17.

0101: Reports from Matt Holehouse of the Daily Telegraph that there are disturbances at Feltham Young Offenders’ Institute. Prison service are apparently dispatching extra vans.

0058: Latest from St Albans is that two people set fire to a bin earlier. Not riot-related so we’ll say that all is calm there.

0054: VIDEO: Street band United Vibrations playing on the street in Brixton – from Arjun on the ground there. (external link to TinyPic).

0053: Shops already being repaired in Manchester, seems to have calmed down there too.

0051: Police confirming reports of damage to shops in Birkenhead and some fires there too. Looking for more details.

0049: Reports coming in from Liverpool of more disturbances there. London seems relatively quiet now – I’ll stick my neck out and say that we have no active rioters in the capital now. (no doubt that’ll change inside ten minutes…)

0047: Picture from Tesco Express in Hayes just now. Police already on scene, nothing more to report from there.

0044: Tesco Express in Hayes was apparently hit by ram raiders – doesn’t appear to be riot related at all. Picture of a BMW minus its front numberplate going around but no solid confirmation just yet.

0041: Interesting photo of a jazz band in Brixton from our man on the ground there.

0040: Two of our researchers have just gone to bed (they have day jobs, lucky sods) so updates may slow. Tweet @gazthejourno and @thewestlondoner if you have more info.

0037: Rioters are trying to break into a Jessop’s camera shop in Manchester. Reports that Greggs has been targeted.

0035: VIDEO: Police vehicles driving slowly through Enfield. No reports of anything except curious crowds there now.

0033: Asda in Toxteth (Liverpool) reports a breakin but police are on the scene.

0030: Not much more known on Slough. Updates will pause for a few minutes – confirming some info on Manchester.

0027: Crayford fire is apparently domestic, nothing to do with rioters it seems. After that burst of reports it really does seem to be quietening down across London.

0022: Enfield Town. Lots of police, not much disorder it seems.

0019: Starbucks in Slough a few minutes ago. Smashed window – nothing more known yet.

0017: Kensington is reported to be calm. Don’t know anything more about the Crayford fire – I can tell you that there was a fire, and now there isn’t a fire.

0016: Crayford – apparently the fire service have extinguished the fire there. Swift action!

0015: Brentford update – people are saying it’s peaceful there.

0013: Crayford (in Dartford) a few moments ago. Finding out what exactly this is now:

0010: Billy Kember of the Times reporting that crowds in Enfield are melting back into the pubs. Seems to have been a brief flash, nothing more. Hayes skip fire unconfirmed.

0008: Gang of 40 reported in Slough just now. Confirming that.

0006: Lombardy Retail Park in Hayes reportedly quiet now. Confirming location of those skips reported earlier.

0003: Skips being set alight in Hayes now.

0000: Pic from Billy Kember of the Times, who’s on the ground in Enfield now:

2358: More reports coming in from Enfield station – checking now. Hayes still unclear.

2357: Rumours coming in of a possible fire at Hayes Lombardy.

2354: Sky News reporting objects being thrown at police in Liverpool.

2350: VIDEO: Miss Selfridge in Manchester on fire, courtesy of ITV/Granada.

2346: Tulse Hill, Dulwich, Streatham and Norwood all calm. London seems to be cooling down. At this rate we might get to sleep by 2am!

2344: VIDEO: Eltham earlier this evening (YouTube external link).

2340: Safe to say that West London in general seems to be quiet. Nothing from Harrow or Hounslow areas either. This is Hounslow bus garage a little while ago:

2336: Brentford seemingly quiet. Some sirens but it’s likely that whereever there’s trouble in London police will be moving there. Sirens on their own don’t mean trouble in your area!

2332: Helicopters reported to be near Mitcham and Wimbledon. Nothing reported on the ground, so no cause for alarm down there.

2329: Old stuff coming in from Eltham indicates that there was a fairly large crowd with police there. Still checking for latest on situation there.

2328: Busy checking reports from Eltham – this seems legit:

2315: Reports from Birmingham suggest that the city has been locked down and things are getting calmer there.

2314: Brixton reports that all is quiet except for the residents’ cleanup operation there.

2311: Five people in Watford have been arrested for criminal damage. Canning Circus fire in Nottingham – latest there is that the fire has been extinguished and police are preserving the scene for forensic evidence. Eight arrested there.

2310: Slight technical difficulties at our end. Manchester and Nottingham both report police still clashing with rioters. 15 arrests in Salford. Greenford (London) is quiet.

2302: Dagenham, Uxbridge, West Drayton and Ruislip all quiet, despite rumours.

2259: Lewisham High Street reportedly quiet, as are Burnt Oak and Greenford.

2254: Burnt Oak update: the cars that were apparently burning there have been extinguished.

2252: VIDEO: Eltham a few minutes ago. (YouTube link)

2248: Huge amount of rumours going around about Lewisham. I am going to downgrade our reports to UNCONFIRMED because all verifiable reports from people living there say it’s peaceful at the moment. Eltham situation fluid.

2246: VIDEO from Seven Sisters. External link to yfrog – it is on its side, unfortunately.

2245: All buses and trams in and out of Manchester have been suspended apparently, but the trains are still running, reports

2243: BBC News live reporting from Manchester behind riot police now.

2240: Picture from Seven Sisters a few minutes ago:

2236: Seven Sisters Hair and Beauty is reportedly on fire. The fire in Southend was on the Leigh industrial estate (link to local paper), very close to Big Yellow Storage.

2231: Big Yellow Storage in Southend is NOT on fire. We’re slowing down to double-check our info before posting more on Eltham and Lewisham.

2229: Picture below of Eltham is of a flare, not a bomb – Lewisham appears to be quiet despite large group of people reported there earlier.

2225: Riot vans going through Deptford towards Lewisham. Meanwhile in Leicester helicopters are assisting police on the ground over there. Some damage on Granby Street, apparently.

2223: Rumours of fire in Basildon appear to be false.

2220: Lewisham seems to be quiet according to locals there – perhaps the bulk of the people round there have moved towards Eltham. Confirming.

2218: Fireball in Eltham, very close to Shoezone:

2216: LBC radio are reporting around 2000 people moving from Eltham to Lewisham to “reclaim the streets”. Developing – updates to @gazthejourno and @thewestlondoner on Twitter please.

2214: Six arrests in Liverpool from earlier, city now quiet. Nothing much happening in Portsmouth after the fire in that derelict nightclub either.

2213: Canning Circus police station in Nottinghamshire firebombed by 30-40 men, report Notts Police.

2211: Reports coming in that 400+ people are running through Lewisham, from a source on the ground. Confirming now – that’s very recent.

2208: Met Police confirms disturbances in Canning Town, Crouch End, Muswell Hill and Highgate.

2205: Gang of youths reported to be on the rampage in Milton Keynes.

2204: 20 police officers on guard outside Bletchey train station, reports the Milton Keynes Citizen.

2203: Curry’s in Ruislip was hit earlier – pic found on Lockerz.com. Thanks to Peter Smallwood for digging that out for us.

2200: Harrow is all quiet, our man there reports that pubs are serving beer as normal.

2159: Restarted my browser, that’s cleared up the slowness. Reports of a fire in Burnt Oak are coming in thick and fast. Low-quality pictures coming in.

2153: Road closures reported in Birmingham. Unconfirmed reports of something happening on the A127 in Southend – looking into that now.

2152: Reports of water cannon leaving Northern Ireland and the Guardian’s front page for tomorrow reports that plastic bullets have been authorised for use on the UK mainland by David Cameron.

2148: Lots of reports coming in that Eltham has become a popular spot. Police attending the scene there.

2143: Cotton Street in Poplar is closed due to a public disorder incident. More as we get it.

2143: Southbury Rail Station, near Enfield, has just closed.

2139: This picture is apparently of Millwall fans in Eltham earlier. My laptop is going slow – back in a couple of minutes.

2134: Four people reported to have been arrested in Bletchley.

2132: Fabric World in Bletchley is reportedly on fire. Meanwhile the groups of people out on the street may be about to clash with each other. Trying hard not to use any emotive words to describe these groups – wary of stoking tension.

2131: Unconfirmed rumours of something happening in Bletchley town, Milton Keynes area.

2127: Rumours of a fire in Wandsworth that was caused by a kitchen accident – not riot related.

2125: Confirmed reports of a car on fire in Dagenham and youths gathering in the area.

2122: Police in Wembley report no incidents there, it’s all calm across NW London. Meanwhile reports that more people are gathering in Enfield and Southall.

2120: Local people are now on the streets in Eltham, Enfield and New Addington.

2117: Reports from Eltham (London) that cars of people are driving around randomly attacking passers-by. Stay away from the area if you can.

2115: Sky News people on the ground in Manchester reporting that police are confiscating petrol bombs. Worrying news.

2112: Looters supposedly breaking into Oxfam shops in Manchester now. Having another look at London – tweet updates to @thewestlondoner and @gazthejourno

2111: This is reportedly a BBC radio car in Manchester:

2108: People in Mitcham are being told to go home by police.

2107: News just in that National Express coaches will make their final departures from Birmingham, West Bromwich, Wolverhampton and Dudley at 9.30pm.

2106: VIDEO: Police riot vans speeding through Brixton earlier. (YouTube link)

2104: A fire has occurred in West Drayton but it is definitely not linked to the riots.

2102: Mitcham, Tooting and Wandsworth all quiet, no futher disturbances. Unconfirmed reports of youths at a petrol station in Wembley now.

2101: LBC reporting that Apple have emptied their stores nationwide in case of looters.

2100: Sikhs in Southall are out in force by the gurdwara tonight;

2059: Reports of trouble in Wembley, London. Looking to confirm.

2056: Bristol reports heavy police presence but no trouble as yet.

2055: Manchester Metrolink has been suspended – there is no service there at all.

2052: Lots of people taking to the streets in Enfield:

2051: Police in Dagenham have made an arrest. Romford police are still moving troublemakers towards the marketplace.

2051: Piccadilly Gardens in Manchester has been cordoned off apparently. Checking now.

2050: Nottingham seems fine after slight unrest yesterday but both football teams there are playing apparently. Potential for problems?

2047: New reports from Nottingham. Standing by to confirm there. Will have a look at London again in a moment. Maybe we should rename ourselves “The UK’er”?

2045: Liverpool is quiet now. Reports that Portsmouth is still tense but quiet.

2042: Daily Mail reporting that the England cricket team are locked in a hotel in Birmingham. Meanwhile Hat Man in the city centre there is being looted:

2040: Shepherd’s Bush is nice and quiet. Meanwhile Birmingham riots are apparently moving north in the city. No further updates from Manchester.

2034: Uxbridge town centre a few minutes ago. Slightly less busy than expected…

2035: Group of people we reported in Enfield earlier are apparently a multi-ethnic group with no beef against any particular group. Happy to correct the record.

2031: 563 arrests in London and 105 charged so far. Meanwhile Domino’s in Shepherd’s Bush is, er, open …

2029: Tons of updates coming in. Five riot vans in Hertford Road, Enfield. Shops are being raided in Manchester but police mounted units, aided by dogs, are getting the situation under control.

2026: Reports coming in from Milton Keynes of trouble there. Confirming now – police helicopter supposedly in area.

2024: Enfield vigilantes (50-60 or so) reportedly gathering in Church Street. People are cheering police in Enfield Town. They are gathering to stop rioters, according to our source on the ground.

2022: West Bromwich a short while ago:

2020: Police have charged with riot batons drawn in Manchester.

2019: Riot police in St Anne’s Square, Manchester, are arresting all looters and rioters there. Buses are being diverted away from Central Parade and New Addington.

2018: The end is nigh in Manchester:

2017: Fifty thousand per cent (50,000%) increase in sales of batons and similar on Amazon.

2016: New Addington in Croydon reports about a hundred people there. Apparently they may be locals.

2015: Number of arrests made in Canning Town. Lots of new reports from Croydon, combing through those now.

2012: Portsmorth is tense, according to our man on the ground there. Lots of cars driving around and a decent police presence but nothing actually happening just yet.

2008: Manchester City Centre has been cordoned off. This was Swarovski’s there a few minutes ago:

2006: Reports from Manchester that hotels have been told to lock their doors. Confirming. We’re expanding coverage to the wider UK.

2004: This just in from Eltham, lots of people gathering at local pubs.

2001: Lots of stop-and-searches being reported in Canning Town now. Police definitely in control there now.

1959: Smoke over Canning town is almost definitely just drifting over from the burnt-down Sony centre in Enfield. Things there appear to have subsided for now.

1956: Canning Town seems to be calming down now. Groups of men have reportedly gathered in pubs in Eltham and are waiting for looters to show up. Apparently Millwall fans are patrolling the area, looking for confirmation there.

1953: Oxford Street is empty. Various updates from West London saying that nothing is happening. Looks like either the police are getting to grips with the situation and tackling rioters as they start, or the rioters have finally given up. Mounted police are assembling in Canning Town.

1952: Smoke in Canning Town. (look at the top right corner of the green sign – faint but visible)

1949: Large group of people reportedly on Hertford Road in Enfield chasing away troublemakers. Rumours of racist chants coming in from there.

1946: Reports coming in of arsonists operating in Aston, near Birmingham. Confirming.

1943: Police carriers reportedly speeding through Hanwell, West London. Meanwhile this came in a few minutes ago from Salford.

1941: Police have stopped a route 45 bus in Brixton and are searching a number of passengers:

1938: Canning Town locals are reportedly fighting back against looters.

1937: Police are moving troublemakers in Romford towards the marketplace there. Potential kettle?

1935: Reports coming in from Southsea that trouble has flared. Youth groups being dismissed.

1934: Curry’s on Oxford Street a few minutes ago. Rumours of police arrests there now.

1931: Riot police are out on Oxford Street, reportedly.

1928: Cars are apparently on fire in Wolverhampton. Not confirmed, lots of people asking what’s happened there.

1925: Canning Town latest picture – lockerz.com external link.

1924: Bus fire reports in Canning Town are seriously mixed – some say it is, some say it isn’t. LBC are now saying it’s unconfirmed, apparently. We’re holding back on reports of that until we get something concrete – pics to @thewestlondoner if you’re on the ground.

1922: Police radio overheard reporting that 20+ masked youths are gathering on Oxford Street. Judging by the fact that it’s on the police radio I’d think that that’ll be dealt with swiftly.

1921: Greater Manchester Police are asking people to stay away from the city centre there.

1919: Canning Town latest: Prince Regent DLR station has been attacked and a bus is definitely on fire according to eyewitnesses.

1917: BBC News showing live footage from Croydon now. Resembles the aftermath of a WW2 bombing raid.

1915: Market Street Manchester about a minute ago:

1914: Canning Town bins are smoking heavily, that appears to be mixing with smoke drifting from Enfield Sony centre. Acton is quiet. In Manchester Miss Selfridge’s is reportedly ablaze.

1910: Two bins are on fire in Canning Town – confirmed. Unclear if a bus is on fire there. 20 youths attacking buses but police are dispersing them – seems they were tipped off. Looters tried something in Crouch End, police were on them in minutes. Meanwhile, Romford High Street:

1908: Dagenham Heathway about half an hour ago:

1907: Press Association reporting that windows in Sloane Square have been smashed.

1906: Canning Town a couple of minutes ago.

1903: Three helicopters over Canning Town according to LBC. Likely to be BBC, Sky and police.

1901: Crouch End Blockbuster’s was apparently damaged last night – whoops! It’s calm there now. Smoke over Canning Town is blowing across from the smouldering Sony distribution centre in Enfield Lock. No news from Ruislip.

1857: Mixed messages from Crouch End – unconfirmed reports of something happening to the Blockbusters there. Canning Town has a bus on fire, Sky News are showing footage. Meanwhile the BBC are broadcasting the weather.

1856: Deputy Mayor of London, Richard Barnes, is reportedly in Uxbridge talking to police. No violence reported there but rumours coming in about Ruislip and Northolt. We’re confirming.

1854: Update on Southsea fire from earlier – that appears to have been an arson attack on a derelict nightclub. Not connected to rioting.

1850: Brixton just now. No violence, just local people gathering to clear up the mess from the last few nights.

1848: Brockley Cross, SE4, at 1830ish. Near Lewisham.

1846: West Bromwich about five minutes ago:

1845: Wakering Road in Barking reports trouble. Everything seems to have exploded – rumours of other towns around London experiencing trouble.

1842: BBC showing footage of West gangs pushing over vans and bins. Shops being smashed as well.

1841: London Fire Brigade have confirmed that bins are on fire in Canning Town.

1839: LBC reporting a bus on fire in Canning Town. Helicopters are apparently in the area. Checking this now.

1833: Harrow, various reports that gangs of muggers are on the loose and hanging around train stations.

1831: Freemasons Road in Canning Town is closed, the Met Police are reporting that there are disturbances between the A13 and Victoria Dock Road.

1829: Ponders End seems to have gone quiet. There were reports from there that the Tesco’s was on fire but we can’t confirm this.

1828: Leyton High Street shops have closed early. No further reports from there as yet.

1825: Rioters have smashed the doors of JD Sports in the Victoria Centre in Nottingham.

1823: Ken Livingstone is calling for a curfew and for the events of the last few days to be officially declared a riot. This means police would have to reimburse people for the damages they’ve suffered, if I’ve understood it correctly.

1820: Apparently Ealing residents are banding together to protect their property this evening. Picture of a flyer being pushed through people’s doors has been seen but we won’t reproduce it.

1819: Unconfirmed rumour that Toys’R'Us in Hayes is on fire. Seems unlikely, confirming that now.

1817: Car on fire in Barnet but unrelated to rioters – apparently the engine overheated. Bad luck.

1816: Channel 4 has wanted pictures of looters from yesterday and the day before. (external link)

1814: East Ham High Street has heavy police presence – no looting or rioting reported there just yet.

1811: Met police reporting that 111 police and 5 dogs have been injured over the last three days.

1809: Pub in Tulse Hill just now:

1806: Amazon reporting that sales of steel baseball bats are up by 6,000% (six thousand per cent, not a typo) .

1803: Jubilee Line suspended between Willesden Green and Wembley Park with a signal failure. Nothing to do with riots, just the usual creaky LUL infrastructure!

1801: Large column of police Guardian armoured vehicles going into Croydon now, coming out of Croydon bus station. Pic via Guardian’s Matthew Taylor.

1800: Back streets of Hayes and West Drayton are niec and quiet, apparently.

1759: PC World and Curry’s in Croydon have been boarded up. Curry’s has been a target for the last few nights, seems like a sensible move by the management.

1757: Image from Southsea near Portsmouth, not long ago. Meanwhile a BBC cameraman has reportedly been assaulted in Salford, near Manchester. Perhaps GMP are understating what’s going on over there…

1756: BBC reporting shops looted in Salford.

1755: Bromley reported to be quiet with heavy police presence. No different from everywhere else except Croydon at the moment…

1754: MAP: from CNN, the disturbances across London and the UK so far.

1753: 20 police officers reported outside Hackney station. Croydon Council is meeting with police now.

1748: Canary Wharf tube station appears to be closed. Nothing on TfL live map.

1747: Armoured police vehicles have travelled through Brixton and Streatham and are now heading towards Norbury. Checking to see if there are any reports of violence there.

1747: Shops in Harrow Weald are closing now.

1746: Croydon businesses are closing and boarding up. Fire brigade attending the scene, apparently.

1745: Definitely something going on in Croydon. Reports of rioters present there and a car has definitely been damaged. Confirming that it is fire.

1743: Greater Manchester Police reporting that rumours of disturbances there are false. Not confirmed.

1741: Reports on LBC of a car on fire in Croydon. Confirming, this seems concrete.

1738: Police outside Westfield. Nothing happening there. Atmosphere everywhere seems to be tense and expectant. Many people have closed their businesses early.

1736: Lots of rumours but no concrete reports of violence from anywhere. BBC News reporting disturbances in West Bromwich and Sky News reporting disorder in Wolverhampton.

1732: West Norwood a few minutes ago:

17:29 Eltham shops are now closed. Police presence remains in the area.

1728: No major incidents occuring within London, heavy police presence seems to be working.

1724: Rumours of a fire in Wanstead, as yet unconfirmed but believed to be false. Any updates, send to @TheWestLondoner

1721: Uxbridge has begun closing, with shops shutting down early. Pubs appear to be remaining open.

1719: Unconfirmed reports of a vigilante group received. Will update and confirm/deny as we hear it.

1714: Hayes Town Centre closed off. More updates as we get them.

1713: Interactive riot map. (Guardian link – removed because people on the ground say it’s inaccurate)

1710: Photos of Uxbridge Sainsbury’s from our guy on the ground. They’ve pulled in all trolleys into the foyer.

1709: Twelve police vans, including armoured vehicles, seen heading towards Clapham from Brixton.

1707: Welsh Police are present in the city as part of the 30 forces supporting the Met Police.

1704: BlackBerry Messenger not suspending, but RIM are assisting police. Despite claims for local MPS, there has been no requests from the Home Office to shut down the service.

1701: Local religious residents in Uxbridge have taken to the street.

1658: West Norwood Cemetery has been closed due to fears of rioters defiling the graves.

1656: London fringe theatres are reported to be cancelling shows amidst the riot fears.

1652: Wolverhampton beginning to heat up with groups seen walking the streets.

1646: Appliances Online (who sell washing machines etc.) are sponsoring tonight’s post because they think our work deserves recognition. Which is nice of them – it’ll keep a roof over my head for a couple of weeks!

1644: Tulse Hill High Road is closing. Police presence in the area. Lots of rumours of communities being targeted but were not reporting anything unless it actually happens.

1639: Tulse Hill shops closing now. Earlier reports that Boris Johnson is out with a broom in Clapham.

1636: Uploading pictures of business as normal in Uxbridge. All reports from other areas of London seem to indicate heavy police presence but not much in the way of violence.

1634: Gaz Corfield here now. Just got back in from Uxbridge and I can confirm personally that the town is quiet. Uxbridge London Underground station is open for business. Police presence heavy for the area but atmosphere is expectant.

1624: Shops closing in Chislehurst and Paddington.

1623: Gangs spotted in Dagenham but the police ‘have it under control’. More updates soon.

1619: New reports suggest Morden shops are being told to close.

1618: Looking into reports of Eltham and Dagenham. Many seems to be false rumours

1613: Welling, Eltham and Sidcup add to the list of towns who have shut up shops.

1611: Dalston closing up for the night.

1608: Police seem to have many locations under control, and no reports yet of major breakages.

1605: We’ve received reports that trains are not stopping in West Norwood.

1602: Update on Rose Hill, near Sutton. Co-Op is fine, but had high police presence earlier today which raised suspicions.

1600: Reports of smashed Phones4U and high police presence in Putney visibly reduced.

1556: Latest images from Balham of shopkeepers boarding windows.

1555: New reports of shops closing in Purley. Also unconfirmed reports of trouble in Dagenham. Any information, please send to @TheWestLondoner.

1553: Train service between Gatwick Airport and Three Bridges running as usual.

1552: Greenwich shops and university have been closed.

1550: AUDIO: two women who claim this is “showing the rich people we can do what we want“.

1547: VIDEO: Boris Johnson in Clapham. (External BBC link)

1545: Arrests in Wolverhamption, and now polcie seem to have calmed the area.

1541: No news from Collier’s Wood or Mitcham, despite disturbances around the Rose Hill Area.

1540: The large police presence in Wimbledon appears to have deterred rioters so far.

1539: Brunel University in Uxbridge have closed their Student Union offices and bars.

1537: Southside shopping centre in Wandsworth closed.

1535: Association of Chief Police Officers say there are now 30 forces supporting the Metropolitan Police.

1533: Greenwich have boarded shops across the town.

1530: Reports of Rose Hill, near Sutton and the Co-op has been hit by looters.

1527: Movements in Walthamstow with Selbourne Walk evacuated

1525: New images from Clapham and Wimbledon

1524: TFL say they won’t be closing stations ealy.

1521: No major updates of yet. Monitoring situations in Wimbledon, Putney and Croydon.

1516: Collier’s Wood Sainsbury’s is reportedly being evacuated and closed in precaution.

1514: Reports suggest there is a presence in Plumstead.

1512: Confirmed that now the majority of both shops and offices in Wimbledon are now closed.

1509: Jewellers in Holborn

1507: New images from Holborn

1503: Police warn of gangs beginning to congregate around South Westminster. Elsewhere, there is a police presence in Egham, near Staines. A local BP garage has been boarded up.

1500: No major devlopments so far, seems like police presence and shops closing are all mainl precautionary. We’ll give you information as soon as wel get it.

1455: Confirmed reports that shops are closing in Putney. Please send any information about riots, or pictures from the scenes to @TheWestLondoner and we can help keep you updated.

1452: Police presence building in Putney as a precaution of rumours for tonight’s ‘hits’.

1451: Bermondsey also reported to be quiet, although rumours that Wimbledon Village is seeing rioters.

1448: Putney and Richmond ‘safe’ amongst rumours that rioters are in town.

1446: Reports of a bin on fire in Wimbledon. Nothing large-scale just yet.

1442: Shops in Wimbledon are reportedly being boarded up by locals and police. The station remains open for the time being.

1439: News on the man shot in Croydon is under investigation. All we know so far is that he was found at around 21:45 last night shot in his car. He died in hospital in the early hours of this morning

1437: 16,000 police to be in London this evening.

1434: Many shops in Wimbledon closing, but the station is remaining open for now.

1431: Looking at reports of arrests in Hillingdon, West London. The Uxbridge Gazette reports that twenty-six people were arrested, claims Hillingdon Council. This follows the minor vandalism in Hayes last night

1428: A great picture of the cleanup

1427: News that the man who was shot in Croydon last night has died in hospital.

And so another night of riots, this time target a more southern area. The West Londoner were again reporting through the night, with people on the ground and others harvesting news from around the capital. The locations hit since 15:00[GMT+1] showed that groups were moving south, and got down as far as Collier’s Wood and Sutton. We will be keeping you updated on any news as we get it.

Automation – Show Me The Riot

Automation are a four piece Electronica band, taking large chunks from many genres, incorporating metal with Drum N’ Bass, Dubstep and other electronic-based styles. Their new song ‘Show Me the Riot’ is a topical outlook on the recent riots across London. The music uses catchy electronic riffs and has a complex, finely tuned sound. The passive-aggressive tone makes it a fitting homage to the chaos of the past two nights, and addresses the mentality and disposition of the rioters.

You can check out Show Me The Riot now at Automation’s YouTube page.

Automation, a West London based Electronica band

Roundup of the Riots

Last night saw the beginnings of a wave orime and terror that swept across the nation’s capital. From 20:15 GMT, coverage on  the London riots in the public media were scarce, and rumours of a media blackout were looming. Through the night The West Londoner, and in particular our own Gaz Corfield, worked to give you the details as and when they happened.

From all of us at The West Londoner we would like to thank everyone who kept us updated, linked to us and made us one of the most viewed global sources of news for the riots. You gave two unpaid journalists the motivation to continue.

While some rumours and reports were falsified and overblown by the lack of public knowledge, we reported the riots through the night, into the early hours of this morning.

New reports indicate that the morning brought with it a sense of withdrawal from looters and rioters, although new reports since our last update at 4:35[GMT+1] show figures to be at over 100 arrests, with 35 police officers injured. There is also a confirmed report that a shop owner in Streatham was hospitalised by rioters in the defense of his shop.

All indications point to this being a premeditated attack across the capital. But what do you think? Premeditated criminals, or opportunistic looters taking advantage of the chaos?

And for those who missed it, here is a report of what happened through the capital over an alarmingly violent eight hours.

Enfield

The first place to be hit was Enfield, beginning with a raid on the local HMV store, and the vandalisation of a police car. This escalated into a wave of destruction and theft. Within an hour, Teritorial Support Group were present at the town’s mainline railway, with dogs present on the ground. Two helicopters were seen overhead in the early hours of the riot and more reports came in of looters, including PC World, a local chemist and the Krispy Kreme store. Despite initial reports that Krispy Kreme was ablaze this was false; it was actually the local branch of Nando’s. The restaurant was totally gutted by fire.

The looters then moved across the A10 that runs through Enfield and made their way to the retail park and to the local Morrisons and Cineworld, both were reported to have been looted and trashed. Later the local Tesco Express was also looted. Brick walls were kicked down for ‘ammunition’ against police and reports that youths were throwing petrol bombs at cars on the A10 circulated.

One surprising development that caused alarm of the situations severity was the appearance of a black armoured police van, turning out to be a bullet/bomb proof ‘Super Duty Public Order Van’.

The Enfield looters then appeared to move north-east and into Ponders End, where they hit the local bus garage, and more reports that a youth had been stabbed outside Edmonton Conservative Club surfaced.

The attention on Enfield seemed to die down around 23:15[GMT+1] with the new reports coming in from Walthamstow and Brixton. However it wasn’t long before pictures and updates circulated concerning the local Sainsbury’s that had been smashed but left relatively intact within. This raised questions as to the motives of the rioters. They’d looted various shops but now seemed to simply be causing damage for little gain.

At 00:43[GMT+1] there was a claim of a gunshot. This was never confirmed, presumed false.

Walthamstow

At around 23:00GMT we received word that Stella Creasy, MP for Walthamstow, had publicly alerted disturbances in the area. Actual reports were sketchy, with news that the fire service and the Tactical Support Group were present. Later confirmed attacks on BHS arose, but the news was greatly overshadowed by the events in Brixton. At 02:12[GMT+1] Kemshott School was damaged by rioters, leading the police to make a hasty entrance into the area.

Westfields

The story of Westfields Shopping Centre was a confusing section of the news. There seemed to be very little actual disturbance, yet the police seemed to either know something the public weren’t aware of, or they were being incredibly protective. The first reports from Westfield came in around 23:00[GMT+1] and suggested that rioters were stoning cars travelling past the centre.

At 02:59[GMT+1] we received word that police were erecting barriers outside Westfields, confirmed at 03:09[GMT+1] with the sightings of semi-permanent barricades, armed officers and dogs. Despite this, no developments were reported and reports were that Westfields would open as normal.

Brixton

At around 23:18[GMT+1] it came to the attention of The West Londoner that Brixton was beginning to show signs of being hit by rioters. This brought new concern for the Metropolitan Police and the public as this was an attack in South London, as opposed to the rest of the North London riots taking place in Enfield and Ponders End.

A few minutes later came news that rioters were bottling police in Brixton, most of them masked. Police entered Brixton in force, to attempt to dissipate the potential chaos. It wasn’t until 23:47[GMT+1] that the mainstream news agencies began picking up the actions in Brixton, thirty minutes after The West Londoner began updating.

Around midnight Brixton’s Coldharbour Lane heaved with a massive police presence, and more reports that looters had hit H&M arose. More shops were then hit, including Footlocker,M&S, McDonald’s and Curry’s. Of all the shops that had been looted so far, Curry’s seemed to be receiving the biggest raid so far, with reports flowing in for more than an hour. This also seemed to take attention away from Brixton’s high street.

Heavy rain began and seemed to assist the police, as many looters and rioters appeared to not be passionate enough about their cause to stand in the rain. By 2:00[GMT+1], Brixton was very much the central focus of the media, and seemingly the Metropolitan Police, as they shut off Coldharbour Lane and the Curry’s store, in attempts to regain control. At around 02:34[GMT+1], police reinforcements were sent to Curry’s and the crowd of looters began to scatter.

Elsewhere

Reports of youths brandishing baseball bats in Bow, where that was the only real report to come out of the area.

False rumours of Hemel Hempsteads riots originally indicated that the local Primark had been set ablaze.

A commenter said he recognised the face of this man as a 'Rhodes'...still no confirmed identity

Still looking for ID on a looter idiotic enough to upload his face to the internet with his ‘rewards’ (left).

At Kings College Hospital, police reported rival gangs starting fights after two members were admitted with minor wounds.

An official update from the Met Police at 03:10[GMT+1] stated:

“Police are tonight responding to copycat criminal activity across London and are deploying officers to tackle it.

There has been looting in a number of boroughs in north, east and south London by small and mobile groups. Groups of youths continue to attack police officers and a number of police vehicles have been damaged.

Three officers have been taken to hospital after being hit by a fast moving vehicle at approx 00:45hrs. The officers were in the process of making arrests in Chingford Mount, Waltham Forest, in connection with youths looting a shop. Two officers are believed to have superficial injuries and the other has an injury to his knee.”

In Streatham, South London, an Argos store was looted (report by LBC Radio).

Another Argos store in Tottenham Hale was also looted.

In Chingford, the Halfords and Curry’s stores were looted, with Halfords taking the more concentrated damage.

Riots in Enfield, Edmonton, Brixton and Walthamstow

Editor’s note 2: We have opened a fresh liveblog page to cover any potential rioting tonight, and it looks like the capital’s set for a third day of disturbances. Click on over to stay updated.

Editor’s note: if you’re clicking onto this page now, why not read our roundup of last night’s events? This page is no longer being updated – we will start a fresh liveblog if anything else happens. Stay tuned!

0435: And there we are, the bottom of the hour. I’m glad I was able to keep so many people informed – what started as a proof of concept test on a news site that hasn’t even launched yet ended up outdoing the mainstream media! My heartfelt thanks to all those who tweeted updates and pictures – special mention to @seanjcameron and @rickycompton for sorting through Twitter feeds and for the graphics respectively. I’ll be back tomorrow afternoon covering anything new. Goodnight and good luck.

0429: Westfield shopping centre should be opening as normal – no indication that any shops will be shut despite heavy police presence and barricading.

0424: Guardian reporting that the violence was pre-planned, with police aware of that as early as 2pm.

0421: Latest is that the Vodafone shop in Brixton was looted earlier. Still nothing new emerging so I’ll be packing up at 0430, unless something new happens. Looking unlikely though.

0417: Rumours emerging that rioters and looters may be planning to attack Catford and Bromley tomorrow. Probably worth steering cleer and/or battening down the hatches just in case.

0415: A few more snippets about the Chingford looting: it seems that Curry’s there withstood the onslaught of looters but Halfords was less lucky.

0413: At last, a fresh picture! Courtesy of Alex Brandler, view from his bedroom window in Brixton.

0411: More on Westfield. It wasn’t evacuated, but police are taking no chances at all with the place.

0407: Brixton High Street sealed off. Reports of people looting local off-licences as well as big shops.

0406: Sky News reporter live on scene now.

0405: Nothing new emerging now. Sky News segment showing good blend of yesterday’s riots in Tottenham and today’s all over the capital. Brixton seems to have quietened down now – has everyone gone to bed? (I know I want to!)

0401: Pictures of Tottenham on Sky News honestly look like scenes from the Blitz!

0357: I think that’s sorted out the formatting. The police helicopter is back and circling over Lewisham, but there haven’t been any reports of violence or looting there this morning.

0349: WordPress’ formatting isn’t behaving itself, may be a slight delay while I sort that out. Meanwhile fire crews are leaving Brixton town centre and Sky News are due to show their latest footage at 4am. Dare I get up for long enough to switch on the telly?

0345: Westfield shopping centre in Shepherd’s Bush is apparently quiet and peaceful despite (because?) of the heavy police presence there. Meanwhile reports are coming in that Halford’s in Chingford was attacked, as well as the Curry’s there. Both shops are close to the A406 North Circular.

0342: VIDEO: Fire at Footlocker in Brixton.

0339: Argos in Tottenham Hale was apparently looted as well. The main focus of the riots appears to have been an easy opportunity to smash into shops and steal consumer goods rather than attack the police.

0335: BBC staff have apparently been told to avoid Westfield (Shepherd’s Bush). Seems that police are expecting a concerted attack on the shopping centre, judging by earlier reports of barricades, dogs and armed police being deployed there.

0334: LBC radio is reporting that Argos in Streatham has been hit by looters.

0332: False reports by Twitterers that the army’s been called in. They haven’t. Neither has a curfew been imposed. And there isn’t a news blackout either. Where do people get these ideas from?

0327: Coldharbour Lane in Brixton has apparently calmed down as well, with the only people present being bored policemen and cars driving away from the area.

0324: Just had a look at the comments on this page. Apparently Croydon pubs and bars were closed earlier in case the rioting and looting spread to there.
0322: Small groups of looters are running rings around the police in Brixton. Three police carriers sped up to Aldi before driving off abruptly.

0319: Courtesy of @subedited on Twitter, a picture from outside Morley’s (Brixton High Street), not Coldharbour Lane as originally thought:

0316: Westfield staff member says that police escorted staff out of the building and to the local taxi rank; nobody was allowed to leave alone. Warnings also given out about possible attacks.

0315: Police helicopter has apparently moved away from Brixton – not heard for about quarter of an hour now. Possibly gone to refuel.

0312: Another mini-map courtesy of Ricky Compton, pinpointing the buildings in Brixton that were attacked:

0311: Apparently youths DID start causing disorder in Oxford Circus earlier. A police windscreen was smashed in Islington as well.

0310: Update from the Met Police:

“Police are tonight responding to copycat criminal activity across London and are deploying officers to tackle it.

There has been looting in a number of boroughs in north, east and south London by small and mobile groups. Groups of youths continue to attack police officers and a number of police vehicles have been damaged.

Three officers have been taken to hospital after being hit by a fast moving vehicle at approx 00:45hrs. The officers were in the process of making arrests in Chingford Mount, Waltham Forest, in connection with youths looting a shop. Two officers are believed to have superficial injuries and the other has an injury to his knee.”

0309: More news from Westfield shopping centre: police have erected semi-permanent barricades and deployed armed officers and dogs. What are they expecting there?

0305: Brixton looters reportedly stealing goods from each other now the shops are empty.

0302: Edmonton Green is now reported to be all quiet, with late-night shops reopening and police regrouping at the police station. Add that to Enfield – two of the original flashpoints have now calmed down. All is quiet at Southgate after the rumoured bomb scare earlier.

0301: Police outside Bodyshop in Brixton.

0259: Report in from Westfields, apparently police there are erecting barriers by the entrances.

0257: Much better. Right. Latest update from Brixton Curry’s is that police pushed rioters away from Brixton station up Effra Road towards Curry’s.

0250: Back in five minutes, I need a coffee. Looks like I’ve accidentally reposted a few pictures from earlier without realising.

0246: No more reports from Southgate – apparently the area is back to its usual calm.

0242: Lots of people on Twitter claiming that there’s a media blackout. This is just a rumour; the Met Police have confirmed that there is no news blackout on tonight’s events. If Sky and the BBC want to be behind the curve, that’s their lookout

0241: Police have said that rival gangs are now starting fights at King’s College Hospital after two gang members were admitted with minor wounds.

0239: Solid line of riot police still sealing off Coldharbour Lane/Atlantic Road crossroads in Brixton.

0237: Effra Road, Brixton, is now clear of crowds, reports Sean Cameron. Situation at Curry’s still fluid – police in the area and lots of looters still walking off with stuff.

0235: Enfield town centre now deserted except for police and fire crews, plus TV crews with bodyguards. A far cry from the rioting which sparked off tonight’s mayhem.

0234: Police reinforcements arrive at Curry’s, and the crowd of looters scatter:

0228: VIDEO: Police helicopter flying very low over Brixton. Other reports have come in that the helicopter was flying as low as 100ft.

0226: Yet more from Currys in Brixton. Where are the police? Not long ago they were reported to be there and clearing away the looters.

0222: Brixton Currys latest. Looks like the police may need to return there and post a few bobbies to keep an eye on the place.

0219: Sky News is showing footage of the Footlocker fire in Brixton.

0216: Detailed map showing locations of buildings hit in the inital rioting yesterday evening in Enfield. Sterling work by Ricky Compton on the graphics!

0214: Curry’s in Brixton a few minutes ago. Much calmer than earlier although police efforts to disperse the rioters hasn’t quite worked just yet.

0212: Kemshott School on Markhouse Road, Walthamstow, has been damaged by rioters – latest. Police are reportedly moving rapidly into the area.

0210: Police helicopter in action over Brixton Curry’s a minute or two ago.

0208: Yes, the kissing couple picture was from Vancouver, thanks to all pointing it out via Twitter – my fault for not checking it first!

0206: Police helicopter above Brixton now, reports Sean Cameron. Thanks also to Ricky Compton for supplying the map graphic below.

0205: Dalston unrest has subsided, police are now on the streets stopping, searching and arresting suspects.

0202: Graphic of tonight’s violence so far. Red spots denote areas hit by rioting and looting.

0200: Interesting picture, supposedly from Brixton earlier. Strange choice of time and place!

(edit – not an actual picture from today at all. Hey ho, I’m just a bloke sitting in my living room)

0158: Person in Brixton says hes seen two young people carrying a stolen television down his street, with one claiming to be scared about what was going on.

0157: VIDEO: Rioters fighting over stolen goods at Brixton Curry’s. (external)

0154: VIDEO: Police being driven back at Brixton. (external link again)

0152: New update from Walthamstow: BHS is now being attacked by looters.

0152: Large police presence still on the ground at Edmonton Green – riot police, riot vans, the whole works. No indication of further violence/looting/arson there as yet.

0149: Sports Direct at Green Lanes shopping centre is apparently being looted. The rioters are spreading faster than police can respond now, it seems. Indications from Brixton are that some riot police have been redeployed elsewhere.

0148: AUDIO – Brixton man describes the scenes on the ground. (link to Audioboo page because wordpress won’t let me embed this one)

0145: Police have now cordoned off Brixton Curry’s and are attempting to regain control there. Looters are spilling away down back streets.

0141: Dedication to duty in Brixton McDonald’s as an employee wipes down the tables following rioters’ attempts to smash the place up!

0139: Scratch my last – police are still very much on the Brixton scene, in Atlantic Road. Meanwhile heavy rain is putting out fires in commercial waste bins on Coldharbour Road.

0137: Police in Brixton have packed up and left about twenty minutes ago, leaving locals wondering what’s going on. There is no sign of rioters there now so perhaps the rain drove them back home?

0134: Seems the lack of news from Walthamstow was misleading. McDonald’s, the Small and Market shops have been smashed and Chingford Morrisons is alight as well.

0131: Reports coming in of meyhem from Leyton. Situation in Brixton is still fluid – just waiting on pictures from our man on the ground, Sean Cameron.

0126: Curry’s in Brixton a few minutes ago:

0123: Yobs are rampaging through Leyton – apparently a bike shop has just been smashed up there. Anyone else in Leyton and can provide updates?

0121: Reports coming in of a bomb threat at Southgate tube station, supposedly 100+ police in the area. This might be more trouble-makers trying to spread police resources; why would you place a bomb in a closed train station?

0118: Mcdonald’s in Holloway is being stormed by people in hoodies:

0112: Sean Cameron reports that webcams along Brixton High Street have been blocked from public view.

0108: Sky News reporting that 6 fire engines are attending the burning Footlocker store in Brixton.

0106: Updates from the comments: Tesco’s in Bakers Arms, Leyton, is being ransacked by youths – thanks to Lauren for that snippet. Meanwhile, Westfields shopping centre seems to have warmed up considerably – seeking confirmation.

0103: Heavy rain now falling in Brixton. The BBC’s man on the ground says that small groups of rioters are now moving away from the area. No new pictures for a little while – tweet me @gazthejourno if you have anything to contribute.

0102: Iceland on Calley Road, Brixton, has apparently had a window smashed.

0100: Situation on Brixton High St becoming calmer, apparently because the rioters have heard that Curry’s has been broken into. Looting has happened in Enfield, Edmonton and Brixton so far tonight.

0055: People on the ground in Brixton and Edmonton Green (south of Enfield, where tonight’s riots started) are complaining that it’s raining. Historically, poor weather tends to make rioters disperse quicker.

0053: Marks and Spencer (M&S) in Brixton has been set alight as well. These rioters seem remarkably well equipped with arson equipment.

0050: Curry’s in Brixton now coming under attack.

0047: “Police are responding to a significant amount of criminal activity across London and are deploying officers to tackle it.”

Official Met Police tweet just now. Good to see they’re keeping themselves up to date…

0046: the Metropolitan Police press people have finally woken up and tweeted, denying that there is a media blackout on the riots. Thank goodness, or I’d be in a lot of trouble!

0044: Fluid crowd apparently gathering around Brixton tube station and defying efforts by police to disperse them.

0043: Someone in Enfield claims to have heard a gunshot. Unconfirmed – am checking. Likely to be something cooking off in a fire rather than firearms discharge.

0040: Apparently looters are still hard at it in Brixton despite police efforts to clear them out.

0038: ‘Admiral’ in the comments to this post says he might know who the idiot in the picture below is. Apparently his first name may be Rhodes – does anyone know any more?

0035: Reports of youths now throwing more stones and bottles at police in Brixton. No news from elsewhere at the moment – Enfield seems to have calmed down or dissipated. Walthamstow hasn’t had any new activity in a little while either … meanwhile, if you’ve any fresh updates, do tweet: @gazthejourno

0032: Matthew Taylor of the Guardian reports that police are now moving to clear Brixton town centre of rioters. Someone else just said that the police drew batons after an object was thrown at their lines.

0029: Remember how youths were throwing stones at Westfield Shopping Centre in West London? Here’s a recent pic from the ground there, and it’s as busy as you’d expect at half past twelve on Monday morning.

0027: Neil Henderson, BBC Home News editor, is on the ground in Brixton and reports that hundreds of people are waiting around corners for the police. Their line doesn’t look too strong:

0025: … and here’s a picture:

0023: Footlocker on Brixton High St is reported to be ablaze. There’s an awful lot of arsonists out tonight.

0022: More of Coldharbour Lane in Brixton, police have most definitely got it sealed off. Not many actual updates coming in from Enfield now, it seems to have calmed down a bit judging from volume of actual updates/pics on the ground.

0017: Update via jc54322 on Twitter, Hemel Hempstead is not on fire. That picture was from 2005. Mea culpa!

0013: Crowd outside H&M in Brixton, apparently they are looting the shop:

0011:Brixton a few minutes ago. Not many police in that particular area despite earlier reports of 200+ youths in the area. Perhaps the crowd are beginning to disperse?

Stoke Newington High Street just now:

0007: Went for a drink, sorry about that. Nothing major seems to have emerged in the last few minutes. Coldharbour Lane in Brixton has a heavy police presence but that’s about it so far.

2359: Seems that Royal Mail aren’t immune from being targeted. It’s unclear exactly what the police are doing to mop things up out there – does anyone know? The riots just seem to be spreading across more of North London.

2356: The Hemel Hempstead reports are still unconfirmed – apparently there’s trees near the retail park there and our picture doesn’t feature any arboreal delights … Brixton was still heaving with police a minute ago.

2350: Utterly surreal, to borrow the words of Paul Lewis. Evangelical Christians have taken to the streets:

2347: Hemel Hempstead Primark’s apparently just gone up in flames. This is spreading, even as Enfield and Edmonton are seemingly calming down. Reporters from the mainstream news agencies are being dispatched to Brixton now.

2343: Paul Lewis says that many of the Edmonton rioters are in cars, making it difficult for dismounted police to keep up with them.

2342: Scene at least a third of a mile away from Walthamstow High St.

2337: Brixton about twenty minutes ago. Police are out in force there as well. The Westfield incident seems to have been overstated – no further updates from there.

2335: The Daily Telegraph’s Andrew Hough reports that a group of 200 youths are now bottling police in Brixton.

2333: Sainsbury’s on the A10 in Enfield about two minutes ago. It’s clearly been broken into but it looks strangely untouched, unlike the town centre earlier. Perhaps the force of the Enfield rioters is finally dissipating?

2329: Large group of youths in Brixton just started throwing bottles at police. Their faces are covered, apparently.

2327: More reports of things going on from Walthamstow. Two fire engines and police Tactical Support Group (TSG) on the spot now. Fire service waiting for police to clear rioters out of the way. It’s not actually clear what’s happened there – any news? @gazthejourno on Twitter if you’ve got a tip.

2322: Interesting. Paul Lewis, Guardian man on the ground, claims to have overheard youths saying that this was all pre-planned. Meanwhile, unconfirmed reports are circulating that a police van’s just been smashed in Brixton (see 2318 below).

2318: Brixton a few minutes ago. This means we have a riot spreading northwards from Enfield through Ponders End, disorder in Walthamstow, gangs roaming the streets in Bow and now Brixton! I don’t envy the police’s job tonight.

2314: Latest image from Enfield High St, apparently.

… and this one is the aftermath of the stabbing on Elizabeth Ride. At least ambulance crews aren’t afraid to get stuck in.

2312: Apparently Stella Creasy, MP for Walthamstow, has just said that trouble’s emerging there too. Two fire engines are in the area according to people there.

2308: Another youth has been stabbed outside Edmonton Conservative Club.

2304: Back as normal – WordPress apparently decided to do routine maintenance on their servers, perfect timing…

Updates from the last 15 minutes: youths are stoning passing traffic at Westfield Shopping Centre in West London, and the stabbing victim from earlier is now walking. His friends are refusing to co-operate with police “because we fucking hate you”.

2257: Whoops, WordPress just had a bit of a tizz and went on a go-slow, seems to be back now though. Krispy Kreme got away quite lightly after all:

2249: The riot’s now spread up to Ponders End bus garage, which is quite a way from Enfield itself. Meanwhile someone in Bow just tweeted that a gang of youths were walking down his road openly brandishing baseball bats. Have the police abandoned other areas of the capital tonight?

2244: Riot is apparently spreading towards Ponders End, which is north-east of Enfield. Meanwhile commercial organisations are trying to muscle in on the Twitter feed. Phone numbers for a group of solicitors and for something that looked like a surveyor’s are going past now.

2240: “Sustained and chaotic” baton charges by police dog handlers, according to Paul Lewis of the Guardian, who’s on the ground.

2237: Unknown road junction in Enfield – plenty of police in the area now by the looks of things. No sign of the riots abating; this could carry on through the night.

2231: Dropping the ‘update’ text from here on in! This is Tesco Express in Enfield as of five minutes ago:. Note smashed window – significant lack of damage inside.

UPDATE 2230: Reports are coming in that rioters on the A10 are throwing petrol bombs at passing cars. If you have any relatives anywhere near the area, please encourage them to get well away.

UPDATE 2228: The burning car from earlier (which was on Gentleman’s Row) has just gone up – apparently the fuel tank detonated. Meanwhile Tesco Express has apparently been looted but police were on the scene relatively quickly, arresting at least two people.

UPDATE 2224: A picture’s just been posted to Twitter claiming to be of armed police questioning a small group of rioters. The picture itself is far too dark to make anything out – let’s see if that’s confirmed.

UPDATE 2221: (re-update: this is apparently Nandos, not Krispy Kreme.

UPDATE 2216: This idiot took a picture of himself posing with his loot. Can anyone identify him?

UPDATE 2212: Nothing new really emerging now. Twitter’s full of concerned people but few who seem to be on the ground. Apparently a group of people have barricaded themselves inside Krispy Kreme on the A10 because the rioters have just reached them.

UPDATE 2201: Vehicle just set alight in Enfield, police say they’re aware but don’t have enough resources available at the moment.

UPDATE 2159: thanks to @alxpye on Twitter, the mysterious black police vehicle from earlier is a “Guardian” – Metropolitan Police (DVS) Armour-plated 2005 Ford F450 XL Super Duty Public Order Van. Looks like the Met weren’t taking any chances tonight!

UPDATE 2157: Paul Lewis, the Guardian’s man on the ground, says that the police have managed to clear the town centre. No news from the direction of the retail park. Tweet stream’s also being hijacked by conspiracy theorists claiming that the Met waterboarded someone in 2009…

UPDATE 2153: Picture of man being arrested by police earlier:

UPDATE 2148: Strange black police vehicle photographed earlier. Any idea what unit this is associated with?

UPDATE 2147: Someone just tweeted that a youth is on the ground unconscious after being attacked by police dogs. No confirmation yet.

UPDATE 2139: Morrisons and Cineworld have apparently been wrecked. Sky News have just got their outside broadcast team on the ground with footage of people being chased by riot police and dogs.

UPDATE 2136: Tweet stream being throttled again (thankyou Tweetdeck). Police say “several” people arrested in Enfield and an unknown number of officers in Brixton have also been injured.

UPDATE 2133: Private cars being set ablaze:

UPDATE 2130: Sky News man on the ground says the A10 is “eerily quiet” and that the mobs are moving towards the retail park. This fits with the reports about looters there around twenty minutes ago.

UPDATE 2129: Just saw a tweet flash past mentioning “Westminster tomorrow”. Suggests a level of organisation behind these riots. No more details emerging from the ground, majority of tweets now seem to be retweets from earlier. My tweet stream’s no longer being throttled, suggesting fewer tweets going onto the #enfield hashtag.

UPDATE 2126: Nando’s has apparently been set alight. Scant fresh details emerging – I may have been jumping the gun earlier by saying poliec were gaining the upper hand. A council van has also been set on fire, apparently.

UPDATE 2114: Brick wall has been kicked down to provide ammunition for rioters to throw at the police:

UPDATE 2108: Police riot vans moving into the area. Despite the mainstream media blackout (except for Paul Lewis of the Guardian) indications are that the police seem to be regaining control of the heart of the area.

UPDATE 2107: Rioters have broken into a local chemist:

UPDATE 2105: PC World in Enfield retail park has been broken into according to a few people. No new pictures of confrontations between police and rioters – perhaps the police are just letting them get on with it? Reports that at least two helicopters are overhead.

UPDATE 2102: New picture of black youth being arrested. Situation seems to have stabilised, with few new snippets of info emerging. Someone just tweeted that a rioter is hiding in her front garden – Tweetdeck’s moving too fast for me to keep up!

UPDATE 2055: 20 Territortial Support Group officers are guarding Enfield Town mainline railway station. Police dogs have also been seen on the ground.

UPDATE 2051: Police have confirmed that more resources have been deployed across London. A crowd broke into a jewellery store and were almost immediately repulsed by baton-wielding riot police.

Following last night’s riots in Tottenham a fresh wave of violence has broken out in Enfield, North London.

Sky News is reporting that windows have been smashed and a police car vandalised so far. HMV in Enfield has been attacked, with looters currently ransacking the shop floor.

Riot police are on the scene but the cause of the riots is unclear at the moment. Twitter users on the scene are posting numerous pictures of the scene as it unfolds.

This page will be updated as fresh details emerge and can be verified. Please refresh this page regularly!