London witnesses worst riot in more than 25 years

London, Aug 8: The death of a 29-year old local by police firing has triggered off one of the worst riots in the United Kingdom. According to reports, furious mob set alight several vehicles and buildings and clashed with security forces in an impoverished area in North London.

Media reports state that Mark Duggan was on Aug 4 shot dead by police teams dealing with gun crime in Tottenham, dominated by the Afro-Caribbean community. More than 26 police officers were injured as the furious locals took the streets and engaged in pitched fights with riot police.

The London police has said that 42 people were taken into custody.

More than 300 people had gathered outside a police station on the Tottenham High Road on Aug 7 and were demanding justice. At the start, the protest was peaceful but turned violent overnight when mobs went on a rampage outside the police station.

A Downing Street spokesman was quoted as saying, "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."

Latest reports state that emergency services worked to restore order and have managed to bring the situation under some sort of control.

OneIndia News