Arrests In Enfield Amid Looting And Violence

Extra police have been deployed to Enfield to handle clashes that have broken out this evening after a night of rioting in nearby Tottenham.

At least 200 youths are believed to be in the area Enfield High Street where shop windows have been smashed and a police car attacked.

Scotland Yard confirmed several people have been arrested after looting in the borough.

It said earlier it has an operation in place across the capital tonight, with "high visibility" patrols being carried out.

Additional officers will be stationed in Tottenham throughout the night.

Hours of violence saw around 300 people battle police in north London on Saturday night and into the early hours of Sunday.

It followed a protest over the fatal shooting of local man Mark Duggan.

The 29-year-old father-of-four died on Thursday after he was shot by police.

An Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) investigation into the incident is under way.

The IPCC, which is expected to make a statement later this evening on the fatal shooting, has said a non-police firearm was found at the scene of Mr Duggan's death.

Tottenham residents have told Sky News they were in fear for their lives as shops were looted, police cars and a bus set alight and petrol bombs thrown at officers.

Scotland Yard said 26 policemen were injured with eight officers - one suffering head injuries - admitted to hospital. They have all since been discharged.

London Ambulance Service said paramedics treated 11 other people, 10 of whom were taken to hospital.

A total of 55 people have been arrested for offences including violent disorder, burglary and theft.

The violence erupted after more than 100 people staged a vigil for Mark Duggan, marching from the local Broadwater Farm area to Tottenham police station.

Mr Duggan's family has told Sky News they do not condone the rioting.

In an exclusive interview with Sky News, the older brother of Mr Duggan called for an end to the violence.

Shaun Hall said he did not want any rioting carried out in his brother's name.

"The family's devastated. We don't want Mark portrayed as some kind of gangster. He was a good man, a family man," he said.

"We do not condone what happened, we are peaceful people.

"We are grieving and just trying to come to terms with everything that has happened. We do not want this happening in his name."

He added: "I know people are frustrated, they're angry out there... but I would say, please try to hold it down."

The area at the centre of the disorder has been sealed off in Tottenham High Road, where the crowd set fire to buildings, bins and vehicles.

A branch of supermarket Aldi was also set ablaze, and reports said looters had targeted JJB Sports.

By the early hours of Sunday, many protesters had moved to nearby Tottenham Hale retail park, where some were spotted looting PC World and JD Sports.

Sky News reporter Simon Newton said he saw youths wheeling out televisions and bags of clothes, but police were not at the scene.

Violence escalated shortly after dark, when protesters set fire to two police cars and a double decker bus.

Local MP David Lammy condemned "mindless" people involved in the rioting - but also criticised police for their handling of the situation.

"A community that was already hurting has now had the heart ripped out of it," he said.

"Many (of the rioters) were not from Tottenham and had come from far beyond this community, intent on causing violence.

"What happened here on Thursday night raised huge questions and we need answers, but the response to that is not to loot (and) to rob.

"This is an attack on Tottenham and ordinary people. There are questions about the nature of the escalation of this violence and the nature of the policing that led up to it.

"It seemed to go on for many hours before we saw the type of policing that I think is appropriate.

"I think small skirmishes initially should have been stopped far quicker."

Metropolitan Police Commander Adrian Hanstock said: "The death of Mark Duggan was absolutely regrettable.

"A peaceful demonstration was hijacked by a small number of a criminal element, that used that event for their own gain.

"We kept a dignified presence at the vigil. Our preparation was in place and the contingence we had needed to be proportionate to the levels of concern we had in the community.

"It was violence that could not have been anticipated on that scale. As soon as we saw the level, we moved all our available resources, bearing in mind this was at midnight on a Sunday.

"I don't think anyone could have forseen that such a peaceful and proper protest vigil would evolve into something like this."

Downing Street issued a statement condemning the violence as "utterly unnacceptable".

"There is no justification for the aggression the police and the public faced, or for the damage to property," a statement said.

"There is now a police investigation into the rioting and we should let that process happen."

The Met Police opened their Gold Command Control centre in south London - normally only used for major incidents, such as the Royal wedding and the student protests.

Sky home affairs correspondent Mark White said: "This is a significant move for the police.

"This control centre is only ever activated for major public order events."

Two vans were set alight near a block of residential flats just off the High Road, as the violence appeared to spread away from the initial disturbance.

Sky News was forced to withdraw camera crews from the area after being attacked in the early hours of the morning.

A family friend of Mr Duggan, who gave her name only as Nikki, 53, said the man's friends and relatives had organised the protest because "something has to be done" and the marchers wanted "justice for the family".

Some of those involved lay in the road to make their point, she said.

"They're making their presence known because people are not happy," she added.

"This guy was not violent. Yes, he was involved in things but he was not an aggressive person. He had never hurt anyone."

Home Secretary Theresa May said: "I condemn utterly the violence in Tottenham last night.

"Such disregard for public safety and property will not be tolerated, and the Metropolitan Police have my full support in restoring order.

"I want to pay tribute to the officers who put themselves in harm's way."

Commissioner Rachel Cerfontyne, of the IPCC, said in a statement: "I understand the distress that the shooting of Mark Duggan has caused to his family and in the community and that people need answers about what happened to him."

She said the IPCC had supported 14 family members and friends in formally identifying Mr Duggan's body, and would have further meetings with his family on Sunday.

"We are still gathering evidence and will release further details about our progress with the investigation as soon as we can."