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England riots: Cameron says police admit to wrong tactics | |
(about 3 hours later) | |
The police admitted they got their riot tactics wrong, the prime minister has said, as he announced measures to help homeowners and businesses. | The police admitted they got their riot tactics wrong, the prime minister has said, as he announced measures to help homeowners and businesses. |
David Cameron told MPs the riots in cities across England were "criminality pure and simple", but there were "far too few police" on the streets. | David Cameron told MPs the riots in cities across England were "criminality pure and simple", but there were "far too few police" on the streets. |
In an emergency recall of Parliament, he announced a crackdown on facemasks and a review on the use of curfews. | |
More than 1,500 arrests have been made since the unrest began on Saturday. | More than 1,500 arrests have been made since the unrest began on Saturday. |
A 17-year-old aspiring dancer who handed herself in after seeing her picture in a newspaper was among the defendants at a busy, yet efficient, Westminster Magistrates' Court. | A 17-year-old aspiring dancer who handed herself in after seeing her picture in a newspaper was among the defendants at a busy, yet efficient, Westminster Magistrates' Court. |
An estate agent and students studying accountancy, journalism and engineering faced the district judge on charges arising from the riots. | An estate agent and students studying accountancy, journalism and engineering faced the district judge on charges arising from the riots. |
The fate of an 18-year-old man who bought sports clothes which had been stolen from JD Sports in Clapham illustrated how seriously these offenders were being treated. | The fate of an 18-year-old man who bought sports clothes which had been stolen from JD Sports in Clapham illustrated how seriously these offenders were being treated. |
Ordinarily punished by a fine or community service, he was remanded in custody to face the heavier prison sentences of the crown court. | Ordinarily punished by a fine or community service, he was remanded in custody to face the heavier prison sentences of the crown court. |
"Given the seriousness of the circumstances" was the repeated refrain of the district judge as she refused bail and sent each defendant to the crown court. | "Given the seriousness of the circumstances" was the repeated refrain of the district judge as she refused bail and sent each defendant to the crown court. |
She said her power, to send people to jail for six months, was not enough. | She said her power, to send people to jail for six months, was not enough. |
Mr Cameron told MPs that it had become clear there had been problems in the initial police response to the disorder. | Mr Cameron told MPs that it had become clear there had been problems in the initial police response to the disorder. |
"There were simply far too few police deployed on to our streets and the tactics they were using weren't working," said the prime minister | |
"Police chiefs have been frank with me about why this happened. | "Police chiefs have been frank with me about why this happened. |
"Initially the police treated the situation too much as a public order issue - rather than essentially one of crime. | "Initially the police treated the situation too much as a public order issue - rather than essentially one of crime. |
"The truth is that the police have been facing a new and unique challenge with different people doing the same thing - basically looting - in different places all at the same time." | "The truth is that the police have been facing a new and unique challenge with different people doing the same thing - basically looting - in different places all at the same time." |
Mr Cameron also set out a range of measures aimed at helping businesses and homeowners affected by the riots. | |
They included: | They included: |
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The prime minister ruled out bringing in the Army, but said "every contingency" was being looked at - including whether the Army could undertake tasks that would free up more police for the front line. | |
He confirmed a reinforced police presence of 16,000 officers on the streets of London would remain in place over the weekend. | |
MPs debated the riots for more than seven hours - with most agreeing they were caused by criminals rather than protesters - and that there was no excuse for the actions of a lawless minority. | |
There was also universal praise for bravery of police - but some, including Home Secretary Theresa May, followed Mr Cameron's lead in criticising their tactics. | |
Mrs May said policing by consent was the British way, but robust action was needed. | |
Former Labour communities secretary Hazel Blears said police in her Salford constituency had briefly lost control of the streets - something that was "absolutely devastating" for the community. | |
'Absolute priority' | |
More than 20 Labour MPs - led by shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper - called on the government to reverse planned police cuts. | |
Labour leader Ed Miliband repeated their calls and urged the government to reconsider the plans. | |
He said: "The events of the last few days have been a stark reminder to us all that police on our streets make our communities safer and make the public feel safer. | He said: "The events of the last few days have been a stark reminder to us all that police on our streets make our communities safer and make the public feel safer. |
"Given the absolute priority the public attaches to a visible and active police presence, does the prime minister understand why they would think it is not right that he goes ahead with the cuts to police numbers? | "Given the absolute priority the public attaches to a visible and active police presence, does the prime minister understand why they would think it is not right that he goes ahead with the cuts to police numbers? |
Mr Cameron insisted the cuts were "totally achievable" without any reduction in the visible policing presence and said that a "surge" of officers - as seen in recent days - would still be possible in future. | |
BBC political correspondent Iain Watson said Lib Dem sources had told him there is "absolute coalition unity" on reducing police budgets and the cuts will not be reversed. | BBC political correspondent Iain Watson said Lib Dem sources had told him there is "absolute coalition unity" on reducing police budgets and the cuts will not be reversed. |
Meanwhile, Keith Vaz, chairman of the Commons Home Affairs Select Committee, has told the BBC its members have voted unanimously to hold an inquiry into the causes of the riots. | Meanwhile, Keith Vaz, chairman of the Commons Home Affairs Select Committee, has told the BBC its members have voted unanimously to hold an inquiry into the causes of the riots. |
It will also look at the role of social networking, the police response and police resources. | It will also look at the role of social networking, the police response and police resources. |
In other developments: | In other developments: |
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Courts sat through the night in London, Manchester and Solihull to deal with people arrested during the four nights of disturbances. | |
Mr Cameron told the Commons that anyone convicted of violent disorder would be sent to prison. | |
But Met Deputy Assistant Commissioner Stephen Kavanagh said some officers had voiced disappointment at the sentences handed out so far. | |
Mr Kavanagh added that there had since been "constructive conversations" between the home secretary, the Met commissioner and the courts. | Mr Kavanagh added that there had since been "constructive conversations" between the home secretary, the Met commissioner and the courts. |
The prime minister also offered his condolences to the families of Haroon Jahan, Shazad Ali and Abdul Musavir, who died when they were hit by a car in Birmingham on Tuesday night. | |
He called their deaths "truly dreadful". | |
Two youths and a man have been arrested on suspicion of murder, while a 32-year-old man arrested on Wednesday has now been been bailed. | |
The riots first flared on Saturday after a peaceful protest in Tottenham over the fatal shooting of Mark Duggan, 29, by police. | The riots first flared on Saturday after a peaceful protest in Tottenham over the fatal shooting of Mark Duggan, 29, by police. |
Mr Duggan's death is being investigated by the Independent Police Complaints Commission. |