London riots spreading to more UK cities


China.org.cn, August 9, 2011

Riots spread to Liverpool, Manchester and other British cities earlier Tuesday after plaguing London for three consecutive nights, Xinhua reported.

Policemen press forward on a street in Hackney, east London, Britain, Aug. 8, 2011. Rioting starting late Saturday appears spreading across London on Monday, with vandalising, arson and looting taking place in various London communities. [Xinhua]

Liverpool police said they were handling "a number of isolated outbreaks of disorder," adding that vehicles were set on fire and buildings were attacked in the city's southern region.

In pictures: London riots

Riots erupted in Birmingham on Monday. Police confirmed the arrest of some 100 people as youths ran amok in city center overnight, smashed shop windows and looted merchandise

New reports said that cars in Manchester were also damaged.

Violence continued Monday evening in several parts of London for the third night, including Hackney in the east and Lewisham and Peckham in the south.

The riots first erupted Saturday night in London's Tottenham following a protest over the death of 29-year-old Mark Duggan, who was shot dead by police on Thursday.

The Metropolitan Police has launched a "major investigation" into the Tottenham riot on Sunday.

British Prime Minister David Cameron has decided to cut short his holiday in Italy to deal with the escalating riots, his office said in a brief statement.

Earlier Downing Street issued a statement condemning the violence as "utterly unacceptable".

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