The leader of the council has described last night’s trouble as “looting not rioting” as he helps co-ordinate the borough's response.

Councillor Steve Reed, who did a walkabout in Brixton this morning before meeting senior police officers, said: “The key point is the looters were taking advantage of what happened in other areas of London. Mobile phone stores, Tesco and Footlocker were targeted.

"They were looting, not rioting."

The council was now handing over CCTV to police to aid their investigations, he said, adding leaflets were being handed out to shop keepers to make them aware of the council’s response.

A meeting of shop keepers and community leaders has been arranged for later today at the town hall.

Brixton High Road remains closed to padestrians because of the threat of insecure glass falling from damaged shop fronts, Coun Reed said, adding “we hope to have it returned to normal later today”.

He said the Brixton community had united to condemn the violence and police were now turning their attention to tonight as concerns of more looting grow.

Coun Reed said he will be asking the Mayor of London for extra policing resources in Lambeth, adding protection was needed in Lambeth’s main town centres – Stockwell, Clapham, Brixton and Streatham.

Were you there last night and did you take photos?

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