Surprising image of looters emerges

FROM an organic chef and an opera house steward to a university student, a surprising picture has emerged of some of the alleged troublemakers behind Britain’s worst riots for decades.

While many involved seemed to fit a picture of youngsters from broken families marginalised by society, the first court appearances of some of the more than 1,000 people arrested suggested a broader cross-section took part.

In London alone, a total of 770 people have been arrested and at least 105 have been charged. Reports said at least 40 appeared in court on Tuesday as authorities seek to fast-track suspects to clear the backlog.