Photos: Aftermath Photos of London Riots
By IB Times Staff Reporter | Aug 08, 2011 07:05 AM EDT
London witnessed a weekend of rioting after the shooting of Mark Duggen by police on August 4. A peaceful protest on Saturday turned violent by Sunday.
London braced on Sunday for more violence after some of the worst riots seen in the British capital for years which politicians and police blamed on criminal thugs but residents attributed to local tensions and anger over hardship.
Rioters throwing petrol bombs rampaged overnight through an economically deprived district, setting police patrol cars, buildings and a double-decker bus on fire.
Meanwhile, British police have arrested over 160 people, according to Associated Press. The violence erupted in the north London suburb of Tottenham on Saturday night amid community anger over a fatal police shooting.
London police told AP that groups of young people looted shops in some parts of London, attacked police officers and set fire to vehicles. Around 35 police officers were injured.
Police have condemned the riots as "outrageous". Police have also launched an investigation into the riots on Saturday, codenamed operation Withern. An Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) investigation into Duggen's death has been launched.
"So far there have been 16 charges (burglary, points and blades, theft, POCA, violent disorder), 11 awaiting CPS advice, 17 bailed, one caution, one sectioned under the Mental Health Act and there are 15 ongoing enquiries," Metropolitan Police Commander Christine Jones said in a statement.
"Officers are shocked at the outrageous level of violence directed against them. We will not tolerate this disgraceful violence. The investigation continues to bring these criminals to justice," Jones added.
Take a glimpse of the aftermath photos of London Riots:
Police officers wearing riot gear walk past a burning building in Tottenham, north London August 7, 2011.
Source: Reuters
Firefighters tackle a fire in a building in Tottenham, north London August 7, 2011.
Source: Reuters
Police officers wearing riot gear walk past a burning building in Tottenham, north London August 7, 2011.
Source: Reuters
A firefighter stands next to a burnt out bus on a street in Tottenham, north London August 7, 2011.
Source: Reuters
Firefighters stand outside a shop after a fire in Tottenham, north London August 7, 2011.
Source: Reuters
Firemen continue to dowse down buildings set alight during riots in Tottenham in north London August 7, 2011.
Source: Reuters
Firemen continue to dowse down buildings set alight during riots in Tottenham in north London August 7, 2011.
Source: Reuters
A police officer removes identification from a police car set alight and burned during riots in Tottenham, north London, August 7, 2011.
Source: Reuters
The remains of a burned police car is reflected in water after riots in Tottenham, north London, August 7, 2011.
Source: Reuters
Staff at an electronics goods store clear up after looters damaged the shop at the Tottenham Hale Retail Park in Tottenham, north London August 7, 2011.
Source: Reuters
UK Riots 2011: Police Arrest Three Individuals For Attempting to Incite New Riot
Source: Reuters
Shards of broken glass lay on the ground outside a damaged jewellery shop in Enfield, north London August 7, 2011.
Source: Reuters
Looted goods lie on the pavement outside a fire-damaged footwear shop after overnight crowd disturbances in Brixton, south London August 8, 2011.
Source: Reuters
An employee looks into a damaged electrical shop which was attacked by looters overnight in Brixton, south London August 8, 2011.
Source: Reuters
A man looks at broken glass in a door frame at a McDonalds restaurant after overnight looting in Brixton, south London August 8, 2011.
Source: Reuters
A man looks out of the broken window of a mobile telephone shop that was looted overnight at the Tottenham Hale Retail Park in Tottenham, north London.
Source: Reuters
