Dozens arrested after riots in London

China.org.cn, August 8, 2011

42 people were arrested on Sunday following riots overnight in north London, which was triggered by a protest over the fatal shooting of a man by local police.

A police officer removes identification from a police car set alight and burned during riots in Tottenham, north London, August 7, 2011. Rioters throwing petrol bombs battled police in a economically deprived district of London overnight, setting patrol cars, buildings and a double-decker bus on fire in some of the worst disorder seen in the capital for recent years. [Xinhua]

"There have been 42 arrests so far for offenses including violent disorder, burglary and theft," the Metropolitan Police said in a statement.

Earlier Saturday evening, around 300 protesters gathered outside Tottenham police station after marching from Broadwater Farm estate, demanding justice for 29-year-old Mark Duggan, who was shot dead by police on Thursday, and his family, BBC reported.

The protest started peacefully but turned violent later in the night.  Police was attacked, shops and homes were attacked and looted, buses, cars and trucks were set alight, Xinhua reported.

"As a result of last night's disorder 26 police officers were injured, two remain in hospital," according to the the police statement. 

Rachel Cerfontyne, commissioner with the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) which is investigating Mr Duggan's death, said Duggan was not "assassinated in an execution style" and that there was "misinformation" about his death, according to BBC reports.

"The distress that Mr Duggan's family are in the midst of is understandable, but the violence and disorder we have witnessed over the last 24 hours can never be acceptable," she said.

Duggan's family said they were not condoning the violence that erupted. "Please don't make this about my brother's life, he was a good man," Duggan's brother Shaun Hall told BBC.

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

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

Home Secretary Theresa May said such disregard for public safety and property will not be tolerated and the Metropolitan Police will have her full support in restoring order.

The area at the center of the violence has now been sealed off and the Metropolitan Police has opened its Gold Command Control Center in South London which was only used for major incidents, such as the Royal wedding and the student protests, local media reported.