'Inexcusable' Violence Spreads Through London

Parts of London became "no-go areas" on Monday as gangs of youths went on the rampage for the third night running, starting fires, looting and attacking police.

Violence that started in Tottenham at the weekend after a man was shot dead by officers spread throughout the capital.

"Inexcusable" marauding saw major fires started in Hackney, Peckham, Lewisham, Clapham, Ealing and Croydon, where a man was shot and died later in hospital.

A furniture shop in Croydon which had been in the same family for five generations was completely destroyed after being torched.

Owner Trevor Rees, 56, said the business was started in 1867 by his great-great- grandfather, Edwin Reeves, and employed 15 people.

"I don't think we were targeted," he said. "What will happen I don't know but I need to continue trading and we will need to focus on that now."

A huge blaze at a Sony distribution centre near Enfield, north London, sent plumes of thick smoke billowing into the sky.

Scotland Yard said 525 people had been arrested, and 16,000 officers are being sent on to the streets of London tonight to try to prevent further trouble.

In Hackney, rioters, many wearing hoods and masks, were confronted by police lines spanning the streets, occasionally moving forward to push the groups back.

At least three officers were injured being hit by stones and other objects hurled at them including chairs and pieces of wood.

Scotland Yard said between 250 to 300 people had gathered on the Pembury Estate, setting alight cars and throwing petrol bombs.

Looting and outbreaks of violence was also recorded by officers in Newham, Lewisham and Bethnal Green, where more than 100 people looted a Tesco premises and two officers were injured.

South of the river in Peckham, teams of riot officers were seen charging at fleeing troublemakers after a major fire was started at a shop adjoining a Greggs bakery.

A nearby bus was also set on fire.

A clothing business in Peckham High Street named Giselle was among the stores ransacked there.

Owner Giselle Asante, 57, said the items taken included included wedding dresses due to be collected later this week.

"It is truly devastating," said Ms Asante.

"We cannot replace any of these things because we have made them all."

Scotland Yard was forced to use armoured police vehicles to push back more than 150 people at Clapham Junction, south London, as shops and businesses were hit.

The force said it would use the tactic elsewhere if needed.

Commander Christine Jones said events were "simply inexcusable".

"Ordinary people have had their lives turned upside down by this mindless thuggery," she said.

"The Met will ensure that those responsible will face the consequences of their actions and be arrested."

The violence also spread to leafy suburbs including East Dulwich and Ealing where youths ran amok, starting fires and breaking into shops.

One terrified eyewitness in Ealing said a baby shop was looted and rioters set the merchandise on fire outside in the street.

Alex Bortoletto, 42, who lives above a branch of Starbucks which was also attacked, said he locked himself in the bathroom.

He said: "At about nine o'clock I just heard a lot of noise, then all of a sudden there was about 150 of them. They tipped a car over and burnt it, then started ransacking everything.

"They were trying to break into Starbucks so me and my friend locked ourselves in the bathroom.

"We saw them carrying stuff out of the baby shop like prams and babygros, then burning it. We thought we were going to choke it was so smoky."

Mr Bortoletto added: "We were phoning the police and fire brigade but it took ages for them to answer and then it took forever for them to arrive."

Three people were arrested following an incident in Brent, northwest London, in which an police officer was hit by a car while trying to stop looters.

Home Secretary Theresa May commented: "The violence we've seen, the looting we've seen, the thuggery we've seen - this is sheer criminality, and let's make no bones about it."

Acting Scotland Yard Commissioner Tim Godwin said it was "a sad day for London" and pledged: "We will be out there in ever greater numbers tonight."

Scotland Yard said a total of 44 police officers were injured during the night and police received almost 20,800 emergency calls, four times the usual 5,400. All Met police leave has now been cancelled.

London Fire Brigade said Monday night was its busiest in recent history as it tackled huge fires throughout the capital.

It answered 2,169 999 calls between 6pm last night and just after 7am this morning - around 15 times more than it would normally get.

The violence has come after a peaceful protest in Tottenham on Saturday, which followed the fatal shooting of Mark Duggan, 29, on Thursday.

An inquest into Mr Duggan's death was this morning told he had died of a single gunshot wound.