London tense as riots spread to new UK towns

London, Aug 10: Rioting spread to towns in the Midlands and Manchester as 16,000 policemen flooded the streets of London to prevent another night of violence that has blighted the David Cameron government's image and ability to hold the 2012 London Olympics safely.

In a rare decision, Cameron called an emergency day-long session of the parliament on Thursday to discuss the situation and steps to defuse the crisis following three days of "sickening" rioting on the streets of London.

So far 563 people have been arrested and 105 charged in connection with violence in the capital.

As riots prompted questions inside and outside Britain about London''s ability to hold the 2012 Olympics, Home Secretary Theresa May said the security plans for the mega sporting event will be reviewed.

Meanwhile, Scotland Yard said a 26-year-old man shot in a car during riots in Croydon has died in hospital, becoming the second victim after 29-year-old Mark Duggan, whose death in police firing on Thursday had sparked the riots.

Reports reaching here this evening said ''copycat'' violence erupted on a relatively smaller scale in West Bromwich, Manchester, Salford and Wolverhampton.

Cameron vowed to unleash the full force of law on "thugs" and ordered the deployment of 16,000 police personnel in riot-hit areas to maintain law and order.

A special session of the House of Commons has been called on Thursday to discuss the situation that has taken politicians and majority of the public by surprise.

Most streets of London wore a deserted look as offices and shops closed early to avoid being caught up in trouble on the fourth consecutive night of rioting.

Talking tough, the Prime Minister, who rushed home after cutting short his vacation in Italy, said the culprits will be brought to bear the consequences of their actions and the government was determined to see that justice is delivered to the law abiding citizens.

PTI