Riot blaze: North London in flames as police cars, bus and shops burn over police shooting of 'gangster'

By IAN GALLAGHER and STEVE FARRELL

Aftermath: A building that was set ablaze in Tottenham is just an empty shell this morning

Twenty-six police officers were being treated in hospital today following riots which broke out two days after a man was shot dead by police.

Scotland Yard said at least one of the officers had suffered head injuries after protesters clashed with police in Tottenham, north London.

Scotland Yard said this morning: 'There remain isolated pockets of criminality in the Tottenham area involving a small number of people. Officers are currently taking steps to deal with these incidents.'


Shocking: This morning the mangled burnt out shell of a double-decker bus that was set on fire sits in Tottenham's High Road, left, while on the right is a travel agent shop that was one of the many businesses attacked during a night of anarchy


In a statement, Commander Watson described the scenes of violence as 'distressing' for Londoners and the local community, and stressed that the safe of the public was 'of paramount importance to us'.

He added: 'We did not have warnings that we were going to see the kind of disorder being witnessed tonight.


The morning after: Bricks and debris from the previous night's riots litter High Road


'We are aware of raised tensions in the community, which are understandable following the tragic death of Mark Duggan

What we experienced earlier on yesterday evening was a peaceful protest outside Tottenham police station - there was no indication it would deteriorate in this way.


Clear-up: A fireman watches as a building that was set ablaze is dowsed with water, left, while the picture on the right shows the extent of the looting that took place with this shop stripped bare of TVs


Wrecked: Two police cars used as a road block were set alight during the troubles


Out of control: Scores of police tackle rioters in Tottenham last night


Fire fighters attempt to put out one of the many blazes that were started last night in a night of anarchy


Inferno: Flames rages through a building in Tottenham, with fire crews prevented from tackling it in case they were attacked by rioters

source: dailymail