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London was quiet for the first time Tuesday after three straight nights of riots, but violence broke out in the northern city of Manchester.
Reports plus videos and statement by British Ambassador to the Philippine Stephen Lillie, as well as advisory from Philippine Embassy London
Witnesses say hundreds of rampaging youths smashed windows, looted stores, and burned buildings in Britain's third largest city. More violence was also reported for a second night in Birmingham.
Shop-owners defend their businesses in east London
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But in London, 16,000 police filled the streets. Many storekeepers closed early, and commuters flooded out of the city long before nightfall. Much of the British capital was quiet.
Prime Minister David Cameron vowed to restore law and order and and punish those responsible for the violence that left parts London looking like a war zone. Burned out buildings, the charred skeletons of cars, and glass line the streets. The prime minister called the violence "criminality pure and simple."
The London riots left one person dead and 58 hurt, mostly police officers.
The violence broke out last week after police shot and killed a 29-year-old father of four in the economically-depressed Tottenham neighborhood.
Some reports say the man shot a handgun at police when they stopped his taxicab.
But a police investigative report Tuesday says a handgun found at the scene had not been fired. The reason why police shot the victim is still unclear.
Tottenham is home to a large number of ethnic minorities and has a history of racial tensions. In 1985, a police officer was hacked to death when Afro-Caribbean youths in a deprived housing estate went on a rampage.
Many London residents say the riots were spurred by anger over the gloomy economic situation in north London, including high unemployment and cuts in public services. (VOA News)
Note: an error is in the advisory from the embassy below, the trunkline number should read:
020 7451 1805
British Ambassador?s statement on disturbances in London
The following is a statement by British Ambassador to the Philippines Stephen Lillie on the disturbances in London and other parts of the UK:
?The disturbances in London and other parts of the country are totally unacceptable. The Prime Minister has condemned the scenes of criminality and has vowed to do everything necessary to restore order to Britain?s streets and to make them safe for the law abiding.
We have received no reports that any Filipino has been involved or injured in the incident, but we are keeping close contact with the Department of Foreign Affairs. The UK police are doing their best to ensure the safety of all the communities there.
Those responsible for the violence and looting will be made to face the consequences of their actions. At least 70 people have already been charged in London. Over 500 arrests were made yesterday. As officers take statements from witnesses and examine CCTV evidence, further arrests will be made. Extra courts and a virtual court have been used in London to get these cases dealt with straight away.
London?s boroughs have been leading on the clear-up of the damage caused to their communities. Councils have also been providing assistance to families and businesses who have been forced out of their homes and premises. Across the capital boroughs are working to ensure any affected services are re-located and are open to residents. Going forward, councils will be working closely with residents and other partners to repair both the superficial and the deeper-rooted damage done to the affected communities.
Transportation in London is running well in service of the communities there, including the many Filipinos who live and work in our country. Visitors can check for detailed updates with Transport for London via their website or enquiries number.?
The following is a statement made yesterday by British Prime Minister David Cameron:
"People should be in no doubt that we will do everything necessary to restore order to Britain's streets and to make them safe for the law abiding.
Let me, first of all, completely condemn the scenes that we have seen on our television screens and people have witnessed in their communities.? These are sickening scenes - scenes of people looting, vandalising, thieving, robbing, scenes of people attacking police officers and even attacking fire crews as they're trying to put out fires.? This is criminality pure and simple and it has to be confronted and defeated."
????????? Transport for London website: http://www.tfl.gov.uk/
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