Presenter: ‘This is the BBC news at six o’clock. Police are preparing for another night of extreme violence across London as the rioting continues. A number of buildings have been set on fire and shops and stores are being looted.
‘A police officer in Deptford has been rushed to hospital after a man he was trying to arrest attacked him. Since Tuesday a total of ten officers have been treated for injuries sustained during confrontations with rioters.
‘The main trouble spots right now are Clapham, Peckham, Vauxhall and Tottenham, where mobs of youths are on the rampage. Clashes between rival gangs and different ethnic groups are also being reported. The Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Gary Trimble, has announced that officers are being drafted into London from other constabularies.’
Commissioner: ‘The situation we’re facing in the capital is a serious one, and I urge the public to steer clear of areas where violence has broken out.
‘More than fifty people have been hurt so far and the number of arrests is into the hundreds. I want to impress on those taking part in the rioting that they will not escape justice.’
Presenter: ‘But as the Commissioner was issuing that statement angry mobs were congregating outside several police stations in South London. Missiles have been thrown at windows and police patrol cars. I’ll pass over to Brian Cohen for a detailed roundup of what’s been happening …’