London Riots Hit Ealing

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Cars and buses set alight, shops looted as gangs terrorise the streets

There were scenes of total chaos in Ealing last night as police struggled to contain gangs of lawless youths who ran amok in Ealing and west Ealing.

Shops were looted and cars and buses set on fire - witnessed by many including Ealing Councillor Jon Ball who had a bottle thrown at his car.

Businesses in Ealing Broadway were asked to close around 5pm after fears that violence could spark in the town centre.

Talking on the Jo Goode show on BBC London, Jonathan, a pub owner in Ealing, said he was horrified by what he was seeing:

"There are kids on mountain bikes who are cycling through the police tapes and meeting up with their mates, starting fires on Ealing green, throwing stuff into Carluccios..filtering down into South Ealing Road.

''One of our female managers had to leave through the side door. Our pubs are now locked up." I'm going to stay out.

''I've just taken one of our female managers out of one pub. I think it's really bad in Ealing actually. I think these people are kids who are opportunistic. They've got their blackberries and their bbm'ing and it's a social occasion, out there having fun. A lot of them have balaclavas over their faces.''

This video was published on twitter by Osman Khan and shows trouble at Tesco at Haven Green.

#LondonRiots twitvid.com/3HHJD

 

It's just the latest trouble in towns throughout London (and beyond) sparked after a protest in Tottenham on Saturday after Mark Duggan was shot.

Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, is returning from holiday as is the Prime Minister David Cameron who has summoned the emergency Cobra committee.

Riot police tried to seal off parts of Ealing last night but it didn't stop gangs of youths causing a huge amount of destruction.

Council Leader Cllr Julian Bell said, "The disorder I witnessed in Ealing last night was deeply disturbing, not just because of the level of lawlessness and criminal damage that has taken place but also because it has happened here.

''The council is doing everything possible to help the police restore order in our community and we will be undertaking a big clean up operation in the morning. We need calm to return to our streets and I would appeal to all those young people taking part in these disturbances to go home and think about the consequences of their actions for their victims, their community and their futures."

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Steve Kavanagh said, "Let me make it clear that people who are using current events as an excuse or cover to break the law, steal, attack police officers and cause fear to Londoners will not be tolerated by the vast majority of Londoners and us. "Our investigation, which is massive in scope, is continuing. We are liaising with businesses and communities across London, including at a borough level to keep people up to date with what we are doing.

"I would ask Londoners if you know anything that may help us please get in touch with us via 020 8345 4142."

 

09 August 2011