Riots and arson spread across Britain

As well as scenes of trouble across several London boroughs, “copycat” looting and rioting was experienced as far afield as Birmingham, Liverpool, Bristol and Nottingham.

Merseyside Police said there were “a number of isolated outbreaks of disorder”, including burning cars and criminal damage, in the south Liverpool area.

West Midlands Police said around 100 arrests were made after rioters rampaged across Birmingham city centre and surrounding areas.