British Prime Minister, David Cameron, on his return from holiday, has condemned the riots, and promised to restore order. Police say they have arrested a total of 768 people -- one as young as 11 -- in London since the looting began.

British Prime Minister David Cameron, who cut short a family holiday to deal with the crisis, said he has recalled parliament from its summer recess on Thursday to make a statement on the unrest. Cameron described the rioting and looting across London over the past three nights as sickening scenes, adding it is criminality pure and simple and it has to be confronted and defeated.

Also returning early from holiday is London Mayor Boris Johnson. Taking a broom, he went to south London to clean the streets with the public, while some confronted him with questions.

The public demanded he clarify specific measures to restore order and shed doubts on the police's ability to protect people and their properties.

In London, commuters hurried home early on Tuesday, shops shut and many shopkeepers boarded their windows. With around 16 thousand police deployed, rioting in London was under control compared to the night before. Some youths volunteered to patrol the streets. Police say they have no plans so far to turn to the military for help.