Real story of the night Croydon burned revealed

Details of the rioting and violence which saw Croydon the worst hit borough have emerged in the Metropolitan Police’s 'Four Days in August' report.

In a special case study on the borough as part of the 144-page report, it is described how groups of looters arrived in minibuses as youths armed with petrol bombs and guns prowled the streets while police struggled to cope with the disturbances.

The first reports of arson came in at 8pm, when Somerfields in London Road was attacked.

At that time, officers at West Croydon were being attacked with missiles, bricks and petrol bombs while some looters were deliberately driving at the police line.

By 10pm, youths were seen on CCTV going to Croydon police station armed with petrol bombs, but were intercepted by ground officers.

The next hour saw a “relentless display of violence, deliberate fire-setting and pre-planned and opportunistic burglary and theft”.

Cars were discovered filled with petrol bombs, police vehicles set alight and damaged and people were spotted walking around with guns.

Officers were called in from as far away as Sussex and South Wales and order was finally regained at about 5am.

During this time, Croydon had suffered 510 recorded crimes, including the iconic House of Reeves burning down and several properties in London Road torched.

The report revealed as early as Sunday, police had received intelligence that Croydon was a likely target for riots.

Among the messages circulating on social network sites were a “call to arms” in Croydon and “meeting Croydon 10pm; let’s burn it down”.

But at 10pm on Sunday, the duty inspector conducted a local assessment of the situation and reported back that is was “more or less business as usual” in Croydon.

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