Violent riots in Tottemham

Petrol bombs were thrown, shops looted and eight officers hurt during riots in Tottenham – prompting criticism of the police from the area’s MP.

David Lammy said officers should have stepped in earlier to combat “small initial skirmishes” in the disturbance – which followed a protest over the fatal shooting of a man by police

The area at the centre of the disorder has now been sealed off in Tottenham High Road, where a crowd of around 300 had set fire to buildings, bins and vehicles.

Eight of 26 police officers hurt were taken to hospital – with at least one suffering head injuries – after violence that lasted from late on Saturday night into Sunday morning.

A London Ambulance Service spokeswoman said paramedics had treated a total of 11 people, 10 of whom were taken to hospital. Police say 42 people were arrested.

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’s Simon Newton, in Tottenham, said he saw youths wheeling out televisions and bagfuls of clothes, but that police were not at the scene.

Around 120 people had earlier staged a vigil for shot man Mark Duggan, marching from the local Broadwater Farm area to Tottenham police station.

The 29-year-old father-of-four died at the scene on Thursday.

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

The cars, which were parked around 200 yards from the police station, were set upon shortly after dark.

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 last night 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

“The death of Mark Duggan was absolutely regrettable,” he said.

“Last night’s 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”.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: “Missiles were thrown at them. One was set alight and one was pushed into the middle of the High Road.”

A branch of Aldi supermarket was also set on fire, and reports indicated looters had targeted JJB Sports.

The Met 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.”

A spokesman for 10 Downing Street said: “The rioting in Tottenham last night was utterly unacceptable.

“There is no justification for the aggression the police and the public faced, or for the damage to property.

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

Commissioner Rachel Cerfontyne, of the Independent Police Complaints Commission (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.”

Source: Sky News