RIOTS IN CAMDEN: Shops looted as rioters hit Camden Town and Chalk Farm

the shooting of mark in tottenham and the peacefull protest and investigation for him has been made an excuse for young lazy yobs, who dont care about anything but how much they can get for free and how much violence they can causeto loot. if u asked most of the people why they were doingit they wod not even know his name. i think its disgusting and i feel sorry for the police. the government should put out a warning that whoever is found on the streetscausing violence and distruction will be shot, this might stop another generation ending up like this. Also why does everyone make a big deal about race, everyone should be equals, it makes me sick when ethnic minorities in this country play the race card 'no it isnt cus ur black its because ur a criminal'

Ray,

I am not surprised that you witnessed mostly black people looting - and I am black! As a professional who attended a state school in Southwark, I am not surprised that some poor black people have used the Mark Duggan case for their own gain.

We do not have the full facts so as far as I am concerned the IPCC should be allowed to do their job! It is in the wider public interest that we ensure the police are following their own procedures and behave reasonably. They do have a right to open fire if someone is deemed to be a risk to the public. And to determine how much risk he posed to the general public, we need to establish all the facts and this will take time.

As for some of the poor black people who believe there was an injustice, it is a shame that I did not see them coming out of the woodwork when the Ian Tomlinson, Mark Saunders and Jean Charles de Menezes (I could go on) incidents occurred and we subsequently found out that mistakes were made. Similarly, I did not see white or Brazilian people out looting! They are not a special case and I do believe the army should be brought in to restore order. I also fail to see the connection between small business, large companies such as Sainsbury, Aldi and JD Sport and Mark Duggan. There is simply no excuse for feral behaviour - this is a civilised society and these looters must be brought to justice.

On a final note, I keep hearing talk of this "black community". I live in NW London with people of all faiths, races, etc. My "community leader" is not black but a white woman called Sarah Teather who continues to do a good job. These acts are being committed by some poor black people and not by black doctors, nurses, financiers, investment bankers, etc. I am not part of this so-called "black community" and neither are my friends and work colleagues. Therefore commentators such as the Evening Standard's Alex Wheatle must stop writing articles as if his opinions are representative of the majority and define the term "black community".

Alison

w
ho's going 2 pay fo
r all the damage I wonder. Watch your council tax bill next year. The ignorant unemployed violent lots will still be claiming Benefit + 3 council tax !

That's what happens when your a jobsworth. Next time keep your valuables out of sight, mind your business and hurry your ass home. Yes it is mainly blacks rioting cause it was a black man shot. Anytime the black community needs the white mans help nothing happens. So why is everyone surprised this was gonna happen one day.

that I moved out of London because this constant anger and violence amongst the youth is frightening. Perhaps if half the population ever worked a day in their lives, instead of taking public handouts, and if 3/4 of the population weren't so dependent on alcohol, there wouldn't be riots there all the time. Someone on BBC just asked, "Where are the parents of thse youths?" I'll tell you where they are: drunk, sat in a pub. Because that's Britain for you: Drunk and sat in a pub.

Don't these idiots understand that this is where they live and destroying everything that was ever any good ! Jobs lost, homes gone don't think this is going to get any better will be much much worse !

I am devestated that this has happened to my area, the place I've grown up in and lived all my life. These people need to be dealt with properly. Why is this country so soft on criminals? No other country in the world would stand for this, this is totally shameful. I'm embarrassed to say I'm British. This government has been left in such a mess from the last 10 years of bad decisions, lack of dicipline in schools, bad parenting and too many damn hand outs. I love London and I never thought I would leave, but now I'm seriously considering it. Why should I be pushed out of the city and country I love so much? Things need to change and fast.

if ever there was an argument against cutting police numbers and budgets this is it!

Arm the Police with rubber bullets (or live ones :O) + water cannons, failing that Bring in the Army and get the feral rats of our streets!!!!!
Those they have arrested should be locked up for 10 years!

We have not harnessed the true nature of youthful exhuberance, by providing them all with a good education, supportive social services and adequate youth services. Youth feel disconnected and ignored: they are ripe for enciting to violence from some of the more radical political sectors of our fractured society. Cameron's "Big Society" fantasy is laid bare.

Shortly before 11pm on Monday 8th August the 168 bus I was on to south end green stopped near camden lock market as the road was closed due to disturbances. The only way for me to get home was to walk. As I passed the stables market I was surprised to a number of police with riot shields - but they were not in confrontation with any rioters. I walked up chalk farm road and was shocked to find a number of mainly young, mainly black, mainly hoody and scarf wearing looters helping themselves to whatever they could carry from the Sainsbury's Local. I decided to try to capture evidence on my mobile phone, but within a minute or two someone snatched my mobile phone and ran off with it. I suppose I should be glad that at least I wasn't physically harmed. As I continued to walk up towards Haverstock Hill, I passed the smashed windows of Evans Cycles. There were no police near to Sainsbury's and Evans at this time (about 11pm).
I am wondering whether, amidst all the wanton criminality of this night, I should bother to report the theft of my mobile phone.
What I witnessed seemed to me to be sheer opportunistic criminality - and nothing to do with the black man shot in Tottenham a few days ago. Having said that, it is interesting that the looters seemed to be about 80% black.
I arrived home to find that rioting and looting was being replicated all over London.
Shocking!

Ray Appleby