He also said that he would consult a former New York City police commissioner, who presided over a record drop in crime there in the 1980’s, on ways to counter criminal gangs.
Cameron said the police were authorised to use plastic-coated bullets against rioters and that plans were in place to deploy water cannons when appropriate. “Nothing should be off the table,” he said. “Every contingency is being looked at.”
Over 1,200 held
He promised “swift justice,” even as the authorities turned to a tough reckoning after the days of rioting, looting and arson, with courts in several cities sitting through the night. The police said that over 1,200 people had been arrested, most in London, since the frenzy of violence broke out on Saturday. The situation eased only after thousands of police reinforcements flooded the streets of London and major cities.
The convulsions of violence prompted widespread criticism of the police for an ineffective initial response and deeper failures including corruption and collusion exposed by the broadening phone hacking scandal. Few members of British society were spared: politicians came under fire for failing to break off summer vacations immediately to confront events.
Published 11 August 2011, 10:55 IST